USCCB Religious Liberty Report: Archbishop Alexander Sample Joins Archbishop Hicks to Break Down Key Threats to Faith in America
By: Archbishop Ronald Hicks
On “All Good Things with Archbishop Hicks,” the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) religious liberty chairman explains the newly released annual report, outlining major concerns from anti-religious violence to government restrictions on Catholic institutions
On this week’s episode of “All Good Things with Archbishop Hicks,” Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks welcomed Archbishop Alexander K. Sample, chairman of the USCCB Committee for Religious Liberty, for an in-depth conversation on the state of religious freedom in the United States.
The discussion centered on the USCCB’s The State of Religious Liberty in the United States Annual Report of the Committee for Religious Liberty, a key document published each year to highlight emerging threats to the free practice of faith in American public life. This year’s report identifies several pressing concerns facing Catholics and other people of faith today.
Key concerns highlighted in the 2026 report
During the interview, Archbishop Sample outlined several of the most urgent issues identified by the bishops:
- Rise in Anti-Religious Violence
The report calls attention to increasing hostility toward religious groups, including acts of vandalism and violence. Archbishop Sample noted that this concern extends beyond Catholics to include other faith communities, citing growing awareness ofanti-Semitism. - Government Conditions on Funding
Catholic organizations that receive federal or state fundingare sometimes required to comply with policies that conflict with Church teaching. These conditions can force institutions into difficult moral decisions. - Access to Ministry in Detention Facilities
A more recent concern involves restrictions on priests and pastoral ministers entering immigration detention centers, limiting access to the sacraments for detainees. - Catholic Education and School Choice
The bishops continue to advocate for policies that make Catholic education more accessible, including tax credits andequitable funding options for families choosing religious schools. - Religious Exclusion from Public Services
Catholic agencies have, in some cases, been excluded from adoption or social service programs because they uphold Church teaching on marriage and family life. - Gender Ideology and Religious Freedom
The report also addresses concerns about policies related to gender identity that may conflict with Catholic anthropology. Archbishop Sample emphasized that while the Church is called to treat every person with dignity and compassion, it must also remain faithful to its teachings.
More than freedom of worship
A key theme of the conversation was the distinction between freedom of worship and religious liberty.
“Religious liberty is not just what happens inside the walls of a church,” Archbishop Sample said, noting that it includes the ability to live out one’s faith in society, in workplaces, schools, and public institutions.
Archbishop Hicks echoed this point, emphasizing that these issues are not distant or abstract, but directly affect everyday Catholics.
What can Catholics do?
Archbishop Sample encouraged listeners not to take religious freedom for granted. Instead, he urged Catholics to remain informed, engaged, and active in civic life.
“Be aware, be informed, and don’t be lulled into a false sense of security,” he said, pointing to the annual report itself as a valuable resource for understanding current challenges.
Ultimately, the conversation highlighted that defending religious liberty is not only the responsibility of bishops or policymakers, but of all the faithful.
If you have a question for the archbishop, you can send it by email to catholicchannel@siriusxm.com for a chance to be answered on “All Good Things.”