Trump appoints Bishop Robert Barron to US religious freedom commission

Bishop Robert Barron has been appointed a commissioner of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent, bipartisan agency of the legislative branch. The appointment was announced Wednesday, September 16. Barron, bishop of Winona-Rochester in Minnesota and founder of the Catholic media organization Word on Fire, served on the commission once before, in a term that ended in 2026.

In a statement posted on his social media accounts, Barron thanked the president for the appointment. "I am honored to accept President Trump's invitation to serve on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom," he said. He said the agency, created by Congress more than 30 years ago, advises the president and both chambers of Congress on defending and promoting religious freedom around the world.

Bipartisan membership and prominent Catholics

Barron said the commission is strictly bipartisan, with its members chosen by the leaders of the two major parties. He also named other "distinguished Catholics" who have served as commissioners: Professor Robert George, Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon, Father Thomas Reese SJ, Archbishop Charles Chaput and Bishop William Murphy. He said he was glad to join that list.

Barron was appointed directly by President Trump, along with Pastor Andrew Brunson and Joe Grogan. The announcement came a day after Jane "Cissie" Lynch was nominated acting ambassador for International Religious Freedom, a post that makes her an ex officio member of USCIRF.

A strategic foreign policy priority

Asif Mahmood, chair of USCIRF, called the appointments a decisive step toward advancing the human right to freedom of religion or belief beyond US borders. "USCIRF calls for a swift confirmation process for Ambassador-designate Lynch," he said, adding that "filling these roles demonstrates the United States' continued commitment to international religious freedom as a foreign policy priority."

The other six USCIRF commissioners are appointed by the leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives. With Barron, Brunson and Grogan, the commission now has nine members. CeCe Heil, vice chair of USCIRF, welcomed the new commissioners and said that "with these appointments, USCIRF's bipartisan composition further supports our efforts to advance religious freedom abroad for all."