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Andrew P.W. Bennett

Program Director, Faith Communities

The Rev. Dr. Andrew P.W. Bennett is Program Director, Faith Communities at Cardus. He is an ordained deacon in the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church in the Eparchy (Diocese) of Toronto and Eastern Canada.

A champion of religious freedom domestically and internationally, Fr. Deacon Andrew served as Canada's first Ambassador for Religious Freedom and led Global Affairs Canada's Office of Religious Freedom from 2013 to 2016. He simultaneously served as Canada's Head of Delegation to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance -a 31-country body which leads international efforts in Holocaust education, research, and remembrance.

As Cardus Program Director for Faith Communities, Fr. Deacon Andrew works to promote religious freedom, freedom of conscience, and the importance of public faith to our common life. He also leads Cardus's engagement with faith communities across Canada and Cardus's program of public theology. Fr. Deacon Andrew is a Senior Fellow at the Religious Freedom Institute (RFI) in Washington, DC - a leading independent think-tank committed to achieving broad acceptance of religious liberty as a fundamental human right for everyone, everywhere.

Fr. Deacon Andrew holds a Ph.D. in Politics (2002) from the University of Edinburgh as well as degrees in history from McGill and Dalhousie universities. When not praying, studying, or advocating, Fr. Deacon Andrew can be found with his fly rod in a stream, listening to bluegrass or Beethoven, or reading the Church Fathers.

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Writings

The Bible and Us

Research Report

Toward a Hopeful Future

Research Report

Indigenous Voices of Faith

Research Report

Indigenous Voices of Faith: Dcn. Gilbert Pitawanakwat

Research Report

Indigenous Voices of Faith: Melissa Mbarki

Research Report

Indigenous Voices of Faith: Dr. Rose-Alma McDonald

Research Report

Indigenous Voices of Faith: Dcn. Rennie Nahanee

Research Report

Indigenous Voices of Faith: Tal James

Research Report

Indigenous Voices of Faith: John Borrows

Research Report

Indigenous Voices of Faith: Maria Lucas

Research Report

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Press Releases

Hate Crimes a Growing Problem for Canada's Religious Communities

Canadians Need a Fuller Picture of Indigenous Faith and Religion

Cultivating the Christmas Spirit Takes More Than Good Feelings

STATEMENT regarding Census Data on Religious Diversity

Public Schools Need to Improve Teaching About Religion

Statement on Ontario Court of Appeal ruling on conscience rights

Fight Hatred Through Open Dialogue, Says Former Religious Freedom Ambassador

A New Advocate for Religious Freedom in Canada

Cardus Condemns Recent Expressions of Hate

Media Coverage

Can Ontario Public Schools Handle Teaching Religious Diversity?

Let's Depolarize Debates About Religious Freedom in Canada

We need genuine humility when we reflect on our history

No one has right to burn churches: religious freedom director

Andrew Bennett: The Chinese Communist Party is routing its oldest foe: religion

Our Conscience Points Us to True Freedom

Conversion Therapy Bill Flawed, but Fixable

UN Religious Freedom Report Fails to Protect Freedom

Protecting doctors' conscience rights preserves a free society

The evolving conversation concerning Bill 21

A Particular Amnesia: Religious Freedom and the Pitfalls of Secularism

Rev. Dr. Andrew Bennett on Neighborly Faith Podcast

Refugees, kids hurt by federal summer grant change

Rev. Dr. Andrew Bennett, Andrea Mrozek, and Peter Stockland on Context TV

Andrew Bennett on CFRA Radio

Andrew Bennett on CBC's Power and Politics

Religious Freedom Under Threat

Criminal Code Changes Will Put Sacred Spaces in Jeopardy

Canadian cities' faith communities cast a profitable 'halo'

New Multi-Faith Initiative Launched Amid Worsening Climate for Religious Freedom in Canada

Une Nouvelle Initiative Multiconfessionnelle dans une Conjoncture de Moins en Moins Favorable à la Liberté Religieuse au Canada

Robert Joustra quoted in the Globe