Guest Post by Pro-life Leader Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life
When the Religious Liberty Commission, formed by President Trump, announced its first meeting would take place June 16 at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, the group Freedom From Religion promptly responded by saying it would “closely monitor” this meeting and all future gatherings.
If some Americans need an explanation of why a Religious Liberty Commission is necessary, they have their answer. Religion in the United States – and people of faith – have been under attack and “closely monitored” for far too long.
Recently, it has come to light that the FBI’s surveillance of “radical-traditionalist Catholics” during the Brandon (oh, I mean Biden) administration was much more extensive than at first believed. We at Priests for Life did a FOIA request for more information about it.
According to news reports, the memo targeting Catholics originated from the field office in Richmond, VA, and it was originally explained away as a misguided effort that went nowhere. But it seems it went to at least four other field offices and was seen by more than 1,000 FBI agents.
This is outrageous.
The president’s Executive Order from May 1 spelled out that the duties of the commission will include examining “current threats to domestic religious liberty,” devising strategies to “preserve and enhance religious liberty protections for future generations,” and develop programs to “celebrate America’s peaceful religious pluralism.”
And this will not just be a symbolic commission. Its meeting on Monday will be a practical exploration of its mission and the foundations of religious liberty in America. I happily and immediately accepted an invitation from the White House to join in this event.
Serving on the commission are Catholics, evangelical Christians, a rabbi, well-known names like Eric Metaxas, and even Dr. Phil. Members of three advisory boards include three more rabbis, two Muslims and the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America. Also serving on the lay advisory board is Dr. Alveda King, a long-time Priests for Life Pastoral Team member who continues to serve on our board.
Legacy media outlets have been critical of the commission, which is no surprise, but a look around at what’s happening in our nation should be proof enough that such a panel is necessary. Whoever expected the massacre of Jews in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, would lead to nationwide demonstrations calling for the annihilation of the Jews?
The formation of the commission was good news to those of us involved in pro-life work because for many Christians in the fight for life, our work is a movement of faith. The presence of Christ fuels our movement and the more we worship, the stronger we become, and more willing and able to endure the sacrifices the cause requires.
As I told voters nationwide during this recent election, President Trump deserves our support not only because of his positions on issues, but because he’s defending the tools we need to promote our own positions. First among those tools is religious freedom.
I have long been among those insisting that all Americans should freely enjoy the freedom of religion promised to us in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. When the Obama administration tried to force my ministry, Priests for Life, to supply contraceptives and abortifacient drugs and devices to our employees, we filed a legal challenge that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
We won because of President Trump. And in union with him, we remain vigilant and we look forward to working with the Religious Liberty Commission. I don’t know how anti-religious extremists plan to monitor Monday’s meeting at the Museum of the Bible, but when they do, they’ll find me there in a front-row seat.
Prolife Leader Frank Pavone is the National Director of Priests for Life and President of Prolife Vote.
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