Bishop Robert Barron was appointed a commissioner on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency, it was announced on Wednesday, September 16.
Bishop Barron is the bishop of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, and the founder of Word on Fire, a Catholic media organisation. He was formerly a member of the Religious Liberty Commission, which ended in 2026.
“I was honoured to accept President Trump’s invitation to serve on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom,” said Bishop Barron in a statement published on his social media pages.
Bishop Barron continued: “This agency, formed by act of Congress over thirty years ago, is designed to advise both the President and Congress on matters pertaining to the defence and enhancement of religious liberty around the world. The Commission, by intention, is strictly bipartisan, its members chosen by leaders of both major political parties.”
Other “distinguished Catholics” who have been commissioners include Professor Robert George, Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon, Fr Thomas Reese SJ, Archbishop Charles Chaput and Bishop William Murphy, said Bishop Barron.
“I feel privileged to join their company,” he said.
Bishop Barron, along with Pastor Andrew Brunson and Joe Grogan, were appointed as commissioners by President Donald Trump. They were appointed the day after Jane “Cissie” Lynch was nominated by President Trump to serve as the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom. The ambassador at large is an ex-officio member of the USCIRF.
“President Trump’s announcement is a vital step in advancing the human right of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) abroad. USCIRF calls for a swift confirmation process for IRF Ambassador-Designate Lynch,” said USCIRF Chair Asif Mahmood in a statement released Wednesday. “Filling these roles demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the United States to international religious freedom as a priority in foreign policy.”
The other six commissioners on the USCIRF are appointed by the leadership of the US Senate and the US House of Representatives. With Bishop Barron, Brunson and Grogan’s appointments, there are now nine commissioners.
“In addition to the announcement of the nomination of Ambassador-Designate Lynch, we welcome the three new USCIRF Commissioners: Robert Barron, Andrew Brunson and Joe Grogan,” said USCIRF Vice Chair CeCe Heil, adding: “With these appointments, USCIRF’s full bipartisan composition further supports our efforts to advance religious freedom abroad for all. We look forward to working together.”
