Washington : The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held a special summit this week at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, focusing on one of today’s most pressing human rights issues the persecution of Christians around the world.
The event, titled “Summit on Ending Christian Persecution,” brought together lawmakers, faith leaders, and human rights advocates to discuss practical steps to protect Christians who face violence and discrimination for their beliefs.
Mercedes Schlapp, a senior fellow at CPAC and one of the organizers of the summit, said the gathering was meant to spark concrete action and awareness. “As Catholics, we are called to help those who suffer for their faith, both here at home and across the globe,” she said. Schlapp also announced the creation of the CPAC Center for Faith and Liberty, which will work with national and international leaders to develop policy solutions to address the growing crisis.
Among the speakers were several well-known political figures and advocates, including Representative Chris Smith of New Jersey, Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, and Riley Moore of West Virginia. Human rights expert Sean Nelson from ADF International and Catholic commentator Jack Posobiec also participated in the discussions.
Representative Smith, who has long championed international religious freedom, cited figures from the 2025 World Watch List by Open Doors, noting that over 380 million Christians worldwide currently experience high levels of persecution and discrimination. He urged the U.S. government to take stronger action, including expanding the use of the “Country of Particular Concern” designation to hold violators accountable.
The summit also addressed recent incidents of anti-Christian violence, including cases in the United States, reflecting what organizers described as a worrying rise in hostility toward faith-based communities. Journalist Lara Logan moderated a segment titled “Worst offenders: where persecution is most severe,” which examined countries where Christians face imprisonment, torture, or death for their beliefs.
Speakers emphasized that religious persecution should be recognized as a major global issue, not confined to any single region. They called for stronger coordination between governments, churches, and international organizations to defend the right to worship freely.
The CPAC Center for Faith and Liberty is expected to continue its work through policy advocacy, research, and partnerships with global religious freedom organizations. The initiative aims to ensure that the plight of persecuted Christians remains a central issue in both U.S. foreign and domestic policy.
As the summit concluded, participants expressed hope that faith communities and policymakers would unite in protecting those who face danger simply for practicing their religion. “We cannot stay silent,” one organizer said. “Defending freedom of faith is defending the dignity of every human being.”