Chad Pecknold , associate professor, theology, was quoted in a Voice of America story on the Russell Amendment, which seeks to clarify an apparent conflict between the Civil Righs Act and a 2014 executive order for protections for gay, lesbian, and transgender employees of federal contractors. See below.

Do Taxpayer Dollars Fund Religious Freedom - or Discrimination?

From: VOA Date: May 18, 2016 Author: Katherine Gypson

... Chad Pecknold, an associate professor at Catholic University who studies the intersection between culture and religion, said the amendment provides needed clarity.

"Since the executive order was so ambiguous in the religious liberty protections it provided, it seems to me that the Russell Amendment is just a common sense clarification to keep intact the religious liberty protections that were already enjoyed," he said.

Pecknold said the amendment would help resolve everyday conflicts of conscience, such as military chaplains having to purchase materials from federal contractors who do not share their beliefs. ...

> Continue reading.

Read more about Pecknold's expertise .