Weekly briefing: Religious freedom report, shooting, prayer |
 Photo: White House /D. Myles CullenPresident Donald J. Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence bow their heads in prayer during the National Day of Prayer service May 2, 2019, in the Rose Garden of the White House. |
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We've compiled the top stories of the week. Here's what you need to know: |
Federal commission zeroes in on China in religious freedom violations report |
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom released its 20th annual report and said China is “in a category all by itself [with] the level of persecution.” |
“Repression of the underground Catholic Church increased” last year and into this year, Chinese authorities closed hundreds of house churches, hundreds of Falun Gong believers were arrested, hundreds of thousands of Uighur Muslims have been placed in concentration camps (though China calls them boarding schools), and the Communist Party has taken on more control of religious affairs in the country. |
“They go after anybody of any faith that might compete with the communist, atheistic government of China for the loyalty of its citizens.” — Gary Bauer, USCIRF commissioner |
2 students dead in North Carolina university shooting |
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The suspect, Trystan Andrew Terrell, 22, opened fire in a classroom and was reportedly knocked over by one of the victims, Riley Howell, who has been hailed a hero. |
“His sacrifice saved lives.” — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney |
Americans called to unite, love one another on Nat’l Day of Prayer |
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“Just think what would happen if ‘love one another’ [happened] across American life.” — Ronnie Floyd, president of NDOP |
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Protests to oust socialist leader lead to deaths in Venezuela |
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The death toll from the clashes has risen to five, including a teen boy, and hundreds have been injured. |
The South American country has been plagued by food shortages and a struggling economy and many have accused Maduro’s re-election in 2018 of being impaired by fraud. Guaido declared himself the acting president in January. |
Trump admin. protects conscience rights of health care workers |
The Trump administration’s Health and Human Services Department issued a final rule promising protection of conscience rights for health care workers and adoption providers who hold religious objections to things like abortion and homosexuality. |
“We all win if nurses, doctors, and other health care professionals can heal others without fear of being forced from their life’s work because of their religious beliefs.” — Becket Executive Director Montse Alvarado |
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 STX Films"UglyDolls," based on the toy line created in 2001 and directed by Kelly Asbury (Shrek 2, Gnomeo and Juliet), is in theaters May 3. |
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