Some interesting law and religion news stories from around the web this week:
- Philippine bishops meeting in Manila will decide whether or not to establish a “climate change desk,” to support action plans to mitigate the impact of climate change and also study Pope Francis’ “Laudato Si’” encyclical.
- Pope Francis on Tuesday called for increased protection of the Amazon rain forest and the indigenous people who live there.
- U.S. Muslim groups launched a fundraiser this week to help rebuild burned African American churches.
- On Saturday, heads of state will observe the 20th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, when 8,000 Muslims were killed in Bosnia.
- The Episcopal Church voted to divest from fossil fuels last week, committing to invest in clean energy alternatives.
- This week, President Obama and Vietnam Communist Party chief, Nguyen Phu Trong, discussed human rights and religious freedom in Vietnam.
- On Tuesday, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback issued an executive order protecting the religious freedom of clergy and organizations that oppose same-sex marriage.
- The California state assembly has stalled on the “End of Life Options Act” in part due to fears of coercion and religious opposition.
- The highest court in Oklahoma has ruled that a Ten Commandments monument must be removed from the State Capitol grounds.