U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco to serve on the advisory board of the newly formed Religious Liberty Commission, as announced by the archdiocese. Cordileone, who has led the archdiocese since 2012, joins Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York and Bishop Robert Barron of Minnesota as the third Catholic prelate involved in the commission’s efforts.

Highlighting the significance of religious freedom today, Cordileone stated, “Religious liberty is a vital issue that demands active defense.” He expressed his commitment to contributing a Catholic perspective to national discussions on the subject.

While the exact duties of the advisory board remain unspecified, Cordileone explained that one key goal is to ensure the inclusion of religious leaders’ viewpoints. “Having a Catholic voice is crucial so the Church’s concerns are heard,” he told Catholic News Agency.

The archbishop pointed to several recent challenges to religious freedom at both state and federal levels. He referenced the Supreme Court’s striking down of the contraception mandate under the Affordable Care Act as a positive step, while voicing opposition to potential insurance mandates covering in vitro fertilization, which conflicts with Church teachings.

Cordileone also raised alarms about a Washington state law compelling priests to break the seal of confession if child abuse is revealed during confession—a law under federal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. He recalled a similar legislative effort in California that united Catholics in opposition.

Further, he emphasized the importance of safeguarding religious groups’ ability to provide services to vulnerable populations—including the poor, homeless, mothers, and migrants—without government interference. “Religious organizations must be free to operate in line with our faith’s moral values, without the government defining what our religion is,” he said.

President Trump created the Religious Liberty Commission through an executive order issued on May 1, coinciding with the National Day of Prayer. The commission is charged with assessing threats to religious freedom across the U.S. and recommending legal protections. Its report will also address issues such as parental rights in education, school choice, conscience protections, free speech for faith organizations, institutional independence, and attacks on places of worship.

The commission includes a diverse membership beyond Catholic leaders, featuring Protestant pastors like Paula White, rabbis, imams, and public figures such as psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw and neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson. Ryan Anderson, president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, also serves, alongside Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, an evangelical Christian who chairs the commission.