(Dublin – June 25, 2025) The 5th Notre Dame Religious Liberty Summit concluded successfully in Dublin, Ireland, from June 22 to 25. This year’s summit brought together leading global defenders of religious freedom to explore the future of religious liberty. The central theme of the summit was “ Political Authority, Civil Society, and Religious Freedom.”
This year, more than 100 top scholars, faith leaders, and advocates gathered in Dublin. Over the course of the three-day event, more than 20 speakers participated in six panel discussions.
Key topics included:
- Suppression of Religion in the Global South
- Combating Religious Oppression by Powerful States
- Threats to Civil Society – Religious Education
- Threats to Civil Society – Religious Social Service Providers
- Suppression of Religion in Hong Kong and China
- Persecution of Christians Worldwide
Dean G. Marcus Cole, professor at Notre Dame Law School, delivered the opening remarks. He noted the summit’s theme, ‘Political Authority, Civil Society, and Religious Freedom’ in recognition of the fact that we need more than legal institutions to make religious liberty a reality in the United States and around the world.” He referenced Galatians 5, where Saint Paul pleads with those freed by the blood of Christ not to use their freedom for self-indulgence but to serve others through love and humility. For those of us who enjoy some degree of religious freedom, he said, we have a duty to use our freedom in service of others, by fighting on their behalf.
During the summit, the panel discussion on “Suppression of Religion in Hong Kong and China” drew widespread attention. Dr. Bob Fu, founder and president of ChinaAid, Ms. Zubayra Shamseden from the Uyghur Human Rights Project, and Professor Victoria Hui of the University of Notre Dame shared their unique insights on the state of religious freedom in Asia. The session was moderated by Professor Rick Garnett of Notre Dame Law School.
“Any religion or faith or belief, whether it’s Tibetan Buddhism or Falun Gong or Catholicism or Christianity—if you have not made yourself in the absolute control or management of the Communist Party’s ideology, you are considered a danger to the society and a danger to the stability of the society.” Dr. Bob Fu emphasized.
“There is not a judicial process. There is no appeal. Whole populations are swayed with high-tech equipment and in-person by party officials. Uyghurs are trapped. They’re facing arrest, enforced disappearances, modern day slavery in Chinese factories, family separation, and assimilation.” Ms. Zubayra Shamseden on the plight of the uighurs.
“The government [of Hong Kong] controls funding. The government tells you that everyone, every single school, has to promote national education. You have to teach kids to love the motherland. This is what is going on in all the schools.” Professor Victoria Hui on the changes in the educational system of Hong Kong.
“When political authority is underdeveloped [when] we don’t have the rule of law, religious freedom can be vulnerable. We’ve seen that in situations where civil society organizations are weak. Religious freedom can be vulnerable.” Professor Rick Garnett concluded.
(Reported by Special Correspondent Gao Zhensai of ChinaAid)