'Standing Strong In Defense Of Religious Freedom!'

Following is a special message from the Cardinal Newman Society: Earlier this week, a reception was hosted in honor of The Cardinal Newman Society—and the canonization of Saint John Henry Newman—at the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See in Rome!

From L to R: Major General Patrick Brady, Ambassador Callista and Newt Gingrich, and Newman Society President Patrick Reilly.

“Tonight we're gathered to honor the Cardinal Newman Society,” said U.S. Ambassador Callista Gingrich. “Named in honor of Saint John Henry Newman, the Cardinal Newman Society supports education that is true to the teaching and tradition of the Catholic Church.” Dignitaries present at the event included ambassadors to the Holy See from England, Honduras, and South Korea; Joan Lewis, EWTN Rome Correspondent; and Kent Hill, co-founder of the Religious Freedom Institute. Ambassador Gingrich recognized Major General Patrick Brady, one of America’s most decorated living veterans, who was present at the event. She thanked him for his service and said that it “speaks well of the Cardinal Newman Society to have someone like General Brady as a member.” In her remarks, Ambassador Gingrich reflected on how St. John Henry Newman was a devoted teacher and “lifelong advocate for education, reason, and the discovery of truth.” Newman’s legacy is “preserved through organizations like the Cardinal Newman Society, which work diligently to promote Saint Newman’s vision for Catholic schools and colleges,” she continued. We are so grateful for Ambassador Gingrich’s kind words and for welcoming our pilgrimage group into her home! You can read her full address here. Newman Society President Patrick Reilly also offered remarks at this special event, saying that the pilgrimage group was “thrilled” to be in Rome celebrating the canonization of St. Newman, who “championed faithful Catholic education and had a wonderful relationship with American Catholics during his lifetime.” “Ambassador Gingrich, as you know, Catholic education is important to America,” Reilly continued. “But Catholic education today faces increasing attacks on the freedom of Catholic educators to teach and witness to the Catholic faith.” “I hope therefore that you will convey to President Trump and his Administration our gratitude for standing strong in defense of religious freedom,” Reilly said. “We applaud President Trump’s recent address to the United Nations, as well as Attorney General William Barr’s address last Friday, defending religious freedom. We also applaud the Administration’s strong stand before the U.S. Supreme Court against forcing the redefinition of human sexuality, even to the point of violating the religious freedom of authentic Catholic education.” You can read more about this wonderful honor for The Cardinal Newman Society here. Thank you for your support of our work!