AGP Executive Report

US Religious Liberty: A Trump-era Religious Liberty Commission delivered a draft report urging repeal of the Johnson Amendment and a shift away from strict church-state separation, alongside new “Know Your Rights” tools and guidance on the Establishment Clause. LGBTQ+ & Faith Tensions: In the Philippines, Pride Marchers kept going despite rain as some religious protesters called for LGBTQIA+ repentance near the route. Religion in Sports: Iran captain Mehdi Taremi addressed FIFA’s “Pride Match” framing, saying Islam doesn’t accept homosexuality but the team respects LGBT people. Antisemitism & Solidarity: In Canada, a group of non-Jewish leaders published an open letter condemning antisemitism amid community fears. Church-State Debate: The same US report argues the “wall of separation” language isn’t in the Constitution, pushing for more cooperation between government and faith groups. Immigration & Memory: Japanese internment camp survivors and faith allies demanded closure of the Dilley, Texas family detention center. Local Church Life: A Texas church fundraiser aims to replace stolen equipment and reopen children’s ministry; in Oklahoma, “churches helping churches” volunteers repaired Del City Nazarene Church. Violence Near Worship: Two teens were convicted in the Oxnard church-area beating death of a man outside St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Sikh Heritage: A Patna Sahib lab expanded conservation work for historic Sikh manuscripts.

Church-State Clash in the US: A Trump-linked Religious Liberty Commission report argues for more public money and political influence for religious groups, effectively weakening the church-state wall. Catholic Migration Pressure: US Catholic bishops urge Congress to extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians after a Supreme Court move that could end protections. Borderland Catholic Witness: Bishops and parishioners held a rosary procession across the US-Mexico border, while another diocese calls a pilgrimage up Mount Cristo Rey amid fears of land confiscation for a border wall. Faith in Politics Debate: CNN highlights a split between JD Vance’s Catholic politics and Raphael Warnock’s faith-based approach, as religious-right power rises in Trump’s America. Religious Freedom at Work: Texas faces renewed controversy over Bible stories in public schools and NCERT’s removal of “secular” from textbooks sparks backlash. Interfaith Humanity in Kerala: A Muslim panchayat member performed Hindu last rites after the family refused the body, drawing praise for shared dignity. Sikh Governance Tension: Maharashtra puts a Takht Sri Hazur Sahib law in abeyance and forms a committee after Sikh stakeholder concerns. Antisemitism Flashpoint: A GOP NY candidate accused a Jewish rival of Nazi “camp guard” collaboration, escalating a campaign fight over antisemitism and Israel. Global Christian Security: Trump says US strikes in Nigeria targeted extremist leaders to protect Christian communities.

Church-State Clash in Washington: Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission draft report urges replacing “separation of church and state” with “building bridges,” calling for more religious expression in public life and changes to the Johnson Amendment. Religious Freedom in Practice: A Lansing-area Catholic provider sues Michigan after its women’s substance-abuse contract was revoked, alleging “religious targeting” over abortion and contraceptive stances. Faith Meets Public Life: The LDS Church promotes next year’s Salt Lake Temple Celebration with a global toolkit meant to “help the world rejoice in Christ.” Catholic Life & Worship: Opus Dei founder St. Josemaria Escriva is honored with a packed Mass in Dedham, while Boston-area Catholic media and schools mark milestones from awards to graduations. Religion, Security, and Community: Sikh volunteers serve refreshments to mourners during the Zuljanah procession in Srinagar, highlighting interfaith harmony. Antisemitism Spotlight: A British man admits threatening to “kill Jewish schoolchildren” amid rising antisemitic incidents in London. Church in the World: An Aramaic inscription suggests early Christians sealed a Mithras temple in Roman-era Turkey, marking a rare glimpse of religious transition.

Catholic Church Life & Education: Joliet Catholic Academy marked 157 years of Catholic education, highlighting prayer, service, retreats, and strong academics and scholarships for its 560 students. Historic Faith Sites: Portugal’s Convento do Cristo-linked Church of São Francisco in the Convento complex survived a long legal fight, secular upheaval, and remains active today. Family Faith Events: Grand Central Church of Christ in Vienna, West Virginia is hosting a free VBS-style weeknight program for kids and an adult class on strengthening families. Religious Freedom Under Pressure: Uyghur Christians in China face possible closure of a house church in Xinjiang amid heavy administrative demands and surveillance. Religious Tensions in India: In Uttarakhand, security tightened after Nihang Sikhs allegedly breached border barricades and sparked a standoff. Interfaith Housing Discrimination: Residents in Muzaffarnagar protested a home sale to a Muslim buyer, raising equality concerns. Catholic Internal Conflict: A traditionalist Catholic group published coats of arms for bishops it plans to consecrate despite Vatican warnings of schism. Ukraine & Church Restoration: International support is moving to restore St. Nicholas Church in Kyiv with about €1 million for emergency restoration work. Church Safety: Authorities are investigating a suspicious fire that heavily damaged a vacant church in Garfield Township, Michigan.

Antisemitism Escalation: Jewish people in the UK and Australia report rising harassment in everyday places, including an elderly woman in Melbourne allegedly targeted and filmed inside a Vodafone store. Religious Freedom Under Pressure: Jewish leaders and EU officials in Brussels urged Belgium to drop a prosecution of Jewish ritual circumcisers, warning it could set a dangerous precedent for Jewish life in Europe. Holy Land Concerns: The Archbishop of Canterbury and a Palestinian Christian archbishop issued a joint pastoral letter calling the West Bank crisis an “existential” threat to Palestinian Christians and urging a viable two-state solution. Church-State Tensions in Canada: Catholic civil rights leaders warned that Canada’s new Combatting Hate Act (Bill C-9) could chill religious speech protections when it takes effect July 18. Islamophobia Policy Fight: Denmark renewed debate over banning public Muslim calls to prayer, framing it as taking over public space. Catholic Bankruptcy Fallout: Vermont Catholic abuse claimants seek access to about $500M in parish assets tied up in trusts. Faith in Public Life: A US prison reform story highlights how faith-based programs are expanding inside federal facilities. Local Community News: A massive Allentown fire displaced residents and shut off power and gas; in Maryland, police investigated repeat vandalism of Black Lives Matter signs at a church.

Religious Freedom in Conflict Zones: Ukraine’s Orthodox Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra suffered major damage in a Russian strike, underscoring how faith sites keep paying the price of war. Jewish Community & Memory: The Jewish Agency brought a New York screening of “From October 6 to October 7,” pairing the documentary with remarks from Jewish Agency leadership as Israeli teens head to camps worldwide for summer respite. Churches vs Redevelopment: Israel’s Haifa District Court ruled historic churches can keep religious use even when redevelopment plans tried to limit services. Education & Faith in Public Life: Texas debates a “Judeo-Christian” K-12 Bible reading proposal, with rabbis warning it sidelines Judaism; in India, NCERT rejected claims that a Grade 6 Kannada textbook title “Krishna” and its diet content promote religious or vegetarian bias. Interfaith Solidarity: Azerbaijan’s religious leaders joined Ashura blood donations, while Cambodia’s Buddhist leadership honored a Catholic bishop for decades of cooperation. Faith, Politics, and Accountability: Nigeria’s Spyro criticized religious leaders for benefiting from insecurity and urged them to speak and guide voters. Catholic Life: Corpus Christi drew more than 100 parishioners to a public Eucharistic procession in Peterborough, and a Catholic nun in Nigeria is helping inmates through catechism and confirmation.

Religious Liberty in Court: A Ninth Circuit decision revived an Alaska Airlines workers’ religious-bias lawsuit, arguing the case plausibly turns on whether firings were tied to faith-based beliefs. Muslim Rights Under Pressure: India’s civil liberties groups and advocates reported alleged state-led mosque demolitions and failures to stop anti-Muslim violence, while Uttar Pradesh sealed a Muslim wedding hall over beef claims before any public forensic results. Church Life and Community Support: Temple Israel in Albany awarded 2026-27 scholarships, and Delmar’s “Caring Kitchen” marked seven months of volunteer cooking for neighbors facing food insecurity and other hardships. Faith in Public Square: In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to fight anti-Muslim hatred after Edinburgh attacks, while CAIR-MA alleged an anti-Muslim hate campaign tied to an Eid event at Newton City Hall. Catholic Media Spotlight: EWTN won 75+ honors at the 2026 Catholic Media Awards, including 30 first-place awards. Local Church Disruptions: A fire destroyed St. Paul CME Church in Crawford, and heavy rain damaged Reclamation Church in New Kensington. Online Church Reach: REACHRIGHT released its 2026 Church Influence 100 ranking, highlighting global church growth on major social platforms.

Religious Freedom in Court: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 against a Rastafarian prisoner’s bid to sue over forced dreadlock shearing, narrowing remedies for religious-rights claims behind legal technicalities. Humanitarian & Church Safety: India’s NIA opened an investigation into the killing of three church leaders in Manipur, following an ambush that left multiple people shot. Policy Pressure on Faith Work: India’s government tightened FCRA rules, explicitly separating “religious services” from conversion efforts and warning NGOs and religious groups against foreign-funded proselytising. SRHR Backlash: Liberia’s religious leaders and child-welfare advocates rallied against proposed SRHR reforms, arguing for broad public consultation and warning that parts of the agenda could clash with parental authority and religious values. Religious Institutions Under Scrutiny: Japan’s Supreme Court finalized the dissolution of the Unification Church, clearing the way for liquidation and victim compensation. Campus Antisemitism: Australia’s Royal Commission on Antisemitism will hold further university-focused hearings in Melbourne starting July 13. Local Harmony Claims: Bangladesh’s minister said religious harmony is “total” after meetings with Hindu leaders over the Sitakunda shrine.

Religious Liberty in Court: The U.S. Supreme Court limited religious freedom claims for incarcerated people, ruling that prison guards can’t be sued for damages under RLUIPA, a blow to a Rastafarian inmate’s challenge over hair-shaving. Antisemitism & Schools: The EEOC opened an investigation into the NEA after a complaint alleging antisemitic harassment and blocked opportunities for Jewish educators. Jewish Safety & Hate Crimes: The ADL filed a federal complaint after a Colorado student allegedly strangled a Jewish classmate with a laptop cord; separate reports also describe a Brooklyn coffee shop facing a DOJ probe after banning a Jewish congressman. Church in Public Life: Winnipeg’s Churchill Park United Church will be transformed into a new childcare centre, adding more than 100 spaces. Local Governance & Religion: Massachusetts rent control ballot efforts were blocked after courts said the initiative improperly involved religion via exemptions. Interfaith Cooperation: Iraqi Kurdistan’s endowments ministry met Al-Azhar’s grand imam to expand religious education ties and coexistence. Catholic Church News: Pope Leo XIV praised Church efforts in England and Wales for the Day for Life, urging support for grieving parents. Violence & Community Shock: A hate-crime arrest followed an alleged attack on a Christian woman in Portland, Oregon, tied to anger over a cross necklace.

Jewish-Canadian Museum Row: Mark Berlin resigned from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights over its planned “Palestine Uprooted: Nakba Past and Present” exhibit, saying it presents a “one-sided perspective” that omits the expulsion of Jews from Arab states. Court & Faith in Practice: A blind Catholic man in Pakistan was acquitted of blasphemy after nearly 10 months in jail, while in Edinburgh a man faces attempted murder charges after an anti-Muslim attack spree. Sectarian Fault Lines: Analysis argues Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s assassination triggered rare Shia-Sunni solidarity around Palestine, even as Iran-Saudi tensions threaten reconciliation. Religious Freedom vs. Public Safety: Ghana’s state is cracking down on rogue religious figures, using cyber monitoring and targeted investigations to pursue fraud and dangerous claims. Church in the Spotlight: Japan’s Supreme Court confirmed the dissolution of the Unification Church, ending a long legal fight. Community & Service: A Liverpool church building reopened as a pub won a national design award, while St German’s Church in Cardiff was recognized for its winter night shelter work. Faith, Identity, and Conversion: Hollywood actor Giancarlo Esposito reportedly embraced Islam in Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan’s Muslim lawyers’ group condemned a Kaduna mob killing tied to alleged child theft.

Montreal Jewish community under siege: A gunman opened fire in Côte-des-Neiges, killing a police officer and Rabbi Michael Moshe Mizrahi and triggering lockdowns across one of Canada’s most heavily Jewish neighborhoods. Religious freedom in court: In Orlando, a U.S.-Israeli citizen was arraigned over alleged threats to Jewish institutions, including bomb and active-shooter calls that led to closures and evacuations. Catholic rights dispute eases: Oregon withdrew disciplinary action against a Catholic counselor after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, after sanctions tied to refusing to “bless” a client’s same-sex relationship. Interfaith and community life: U.S. Catholic bishops kicked off Religious Freedom Week, while in Pakistan religious leaders held a Muharram solidarity breakfast promoting tolerance and peace. Faith amid everyday needs: A Louisiana church partnered with a gospel group to support disability nonprofits, and a Texas-area church expanded food assistance for families facing rising costs. Church and state tensions: A U.S. city council is set for a closed-door discussion over litigation involving an overnight safe-parking permit at All Saints Episcopal Church. Faith and violence concerns abroad: Reports say India demolished dozens of Muslim religious sites in 45 days, intensifying worries about treatment of Muslim places of worship.

Religious Freedom & Safety: Scotland’s police charged a 36-year-old man after suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh left five injured, with leaders including the UK prime minister and Muslim groups pointing to anti-Muslim rhetoric fueling violence. Community & Leadership: Zimbabwean preacher Prophet Effort Vakai Maposa joined global Christians at SCOAN in Lagos to mark the fifth anniversary of Temitope Balogun Joshua (T B Joshua), calling him a “spiritual father” to his followers. Jewish Life: Joliet Jewish Congregation named Rabbi Brian Serle as its new spiritual leader, while a Jewish group urged a human rights museum to reconsider a “Nakba” exhibit. Faith, Education & Training: Qatar celebrated 48 graduates from 45 countries at its Institute of Religious Studies, and Papua New Guinea’s Seventh-day Adventist women completed financial literacy training. Church & Public Life: New Baltimore Reformed Church in New York received a $17,000 grant for steeple restoration, and Kenya’s Evangelical Alliance issued a pre-2027 election “moral audit” calling for electoral reforms and action against political violence. Digital Influence & Religion: A report alleges an Israel-funded campaign used digital targeting to influence Christians across hundreds of US churches, reigniting debate over foreign influence in religious spaces. Religion in the Spotlight: Actor Giancarlo Esposito reportedly embraced Islam in Saudi Arabia, with videos of him praying inside a mosque going viral.

Anti-Muslim Violence in Scotland: Counter-terror police are investigating suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh that left five men injured, with a 36-year-old man charged after threats, robbery and vandalism; leaders including PM Keir Starmer and Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney condemned the violence and urged unity. Islam in Pop Culture: Hollywood actor Giancarlo Esposito reportedly embraced Islam in Saudi Arabia, reciting the shahada and praying with his film crew while filming “7 Dogs,” shared by Saudi entertainment officials. Christian Persecution Claims (Nigeria): U.S. Congressman Riley Moore alleges mass killings and church burnings in Nigeria, criticizing the Biden administration’s handling of religious freedom concerns. Church Leadership Dispute: Rhema Bible Church released more details on the removal of COO Craig Hagin, citing “documented evidence” of conduct inconsistent with ministry standards. Orthodox Church Diplomacy (Turkey): Erdogan ordered talks to reopen the Halki Orthodox seminary near Istanbul, a long-stalled issue tied to international pressure and U.S. diplomacy. Hajj 2027 (Pakistan): Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs announced Hajj registration will begin June 22, with no fee and first-come, first-served processing. Religion & Health Research (US): A BYU-led review reports consistent religious practice is linked to better mental, physical and social health outcomes. Streaming Rights (UK): UK proposals would protect “crown jewel” sports from being locked behind paywalls, including World Cup catch-up access.

Muslim-friendly tourism push: Uzbekistan is looking to Malaysia’s halal ecosystem and Muslim-friendly travel services for lessons as it expands its own tourism plans. Anti-Muslim violence in Scotland: UK PM Keir Starmer condemned suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh that left five injured; police say a 36-year-old man has been charged and counter-terror officers are investigating. Celebrity conversion sparks debate: Hollywood actor Giancarlo Esposito reportedly recited the Shahada and prayed at a mosque in Saudi Arabia while filming “Seven Dogs,” with Saudi officials sharing the claim. Churches and community support: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud is joining Minnesota’s summer hunger challenge, while a church in Indianola hosted an inaugural Juneteenth festival aimed at making it an annual event. Misinformation corrected: A viral claim about Muslim grave destruction in India was debunked as footage from Indonesia clearing an old graveyard. Jewish history in focus: New York’s Museum of Jewish Heritage is spotlighting Holocaust survivor Paul Mahrer through a new installation built from letters and documents.

Anti-Muslim Violence in Edinburgh: Scotland’s counterterror unit is investigating suspected anti-Muslim attacks after a 36-year-old man was arrested following reports of threats, robbery and vandalism that left five men injured near mosques and shops; officials say there’s no life-threatening harm and leaders warn the violence is fueled by faith-based hate. Interfaith Community Support: In West Reading, a Reform synagogue and a local church teamed up to offer free refreshments and family activities at a street arts event, aiming to show faith communities can stand together. Catholic Climate Action: A Quezon parish in the Philippines expanded its solar setup, adding a 10-kilowatt system to cut costs and support “care for our common home.” Pope on Migration: Pope Leo XIV visited Mother Cabrini’s birthplace in Italy, praising her as a model for Christians serving migrants in need. Judaism and Identity: Commentary highlights how Reform Judaism has wrestled with universal ethics versus renewed ties to Israel, arguing that post–Oct. 7 diaspora identity now requires urgent investment. Church Safety After Fire: Brooklyn’s 173-year-old South Bushwick Reformed Church faces an uncertain future after a major blaze damaged the worship hall and rectory, with officials expected to assess whether parts must be leveled.

Church-State & Holy Sites: Jordan condemned Israel’s seizure of Greek Orthodox Patriarchate land in Silwan, calling it a blatant breach of the status quo in Jerusalem. Religious Freedom & Justice: India’s Church hailed the acquittal of an elderly Missionaries of Charity nun and two others in a high-profile child trafficking case in Ranchi. Violence Against Minorities: Pakistan’s HRCP condemned the killing of Sikh gurdwara caretakers in Mardan and urged stronger protection and oversight for minority worship sites. Community Safety & Hate: A rapist in the UK was jailed for using Snapchat to target young Muslim and South Asian men with sextortion threats. Interfaith Tensions: In Hyderabad, residents apologized after allegedly calling a Muslim man “Pakistani” during a rent dispute, sparking outrage and police scrutiny. Church in the News: A massive fire destroyed the 173-year-old South Bushwick Reformed Church in Brooklyn; the cause remains under investigation. Faith & Public Life: The Episcopal Church put its New York headquarters on the market as it seeks a long-term ground lease, reflecting shifting institutional needs. Religion & Society: A National Muslim Conference in Bulgaria will elect new leadership, including a new Chief Mufti, on June 21. Local Faith Initiatives: A Catholic parish in Pagbilao, Quezon added a 10-kilowatt solar system to its rectory, bringing total capacity to 25 kilowatts.