Vatican Envoy Gingrich: Religious Freedom National Security Issue

Religious freedom remains under threat globally and is a high-priority national security issue, U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Callista Gingrich says.

"Christian pastors and Bahá’ís are jailed in Iran. Russian authorities continue to target religious minorities. Muslim groups like the Ahmadis are routinely persecuted in Pakistan. Anti-Semitism is on the rise around the world," Gingrich, the wife of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich who was appointed by President Donald Trump, said in an interview John Allen Jr., editor of the Catholic news blog Crux Now.

"The list goes on and on. There’s no doubt that religious freedom is under threat globally ... Religious freedom is a fundamental, universal human right. Unfortunately in nearly every region of the world, this right is under threat or restricted entirely. Global crises require global responses."

Gingrich called the right to worship freely "America’s first freedom."

"It was codified in the First Amendment to our Constitution. Protecting and defending this universal human right is fundamental to who we are as a nation … Make no mistake, religious freedom is a national security issue," she said.

She said protecting religious freedom is a "top priority" of the Trump Administration and the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See.

"The United States and the Holy See wholeheartedly agree that religious freedom is a universal right. Our embassy works closely with the Vatican to support not just Christian minorities, but all religious minorities who are persecuted simply for professing their faith."

• Pope Francis: 'Egoism' Principal Cause of Human Trafficking
• US Amb.: Religious Freedom Curbs Terrorism, Aids Economy