Montse Alvarado, the President and COO of EWTN News, has recently been honored by a prominent religious advocacy group for her exceptional leadership in promoting religious freedom.
On September 3rd, the Religious Freedom Institute (RFI), a respected nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., announced that Alvarado would receive its 2024 Religious Freedom Impact Award.
This recognition highlights her consistent, effective, and innovative contributions to advancing religious liberty.
A Career Rooted in Religious Freedom
Originally from Mexico City, Montse Alvarado’s journey in religious advocacy began long before her current role.
She previously served as the executive director and chief operating officer at the Becket Fund, a nonprofit that defends religious freedom in various courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.
In March 2023, she stepped into her leadership role at EWTN News, overseeing various Catholic news outlets such as the Catholic News Agency and the National Catholic Register.
Before taking on this significant responsibility, Alvarado was the founding anchor of the weekly television program “EWTN News In Depth.”
Though she has since passed on the anchor role to Catherine Hadro, her impact on the program remains influential.
Faith Deepened Through Advocacy
In an interview with the Catholic News Agency, Alvarado shared that she hadn’t initially planned for religious freedom to become such a central part of her career.
However, her work in defending the rights of people from diverse religious backgrounds has only strengthened her own Catholic faith.
Reflecting on this, she emphasized the importance of trusting in God’s plan, stating, “God always knows better and will qualify you for what He’s called you to do.”
Beyond her role at EWTN News, Alvarado actively serves on several boards of Catholic nonprofits and apostolates, including the Catholic Information Center, Acton Institute, and the Knights of Columbus Charitable Giving Fund.
Her involvement also extends to advising the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops through their Religious Liberty Committee.
A Voice for Religious Liberty
David Trimble, the President of RFI, praised Alvarado’s unwavering dedication to religious liberty, noting her efforts to protect the rights of people of all faiths in America.
He acknowledged her as a powerful voice in media, culture, and legal circles, consistently advocating for religious freedom.
Alvarado herself has observed that while legal protections for religious freedom have improved in recent years, cultural attitudes have shifted.
She expressed concern over the growing lack of understanding and appreciation for religion, citing increasing attacks on churches and rising antisemitism as evidence of this troubling trend.
The Role of Faith in Advocacy
Throughout her legal work at Becket, Alvarado found that defending religious freedom was a humbling experience that deepened her reliance on prayer.
She believes that encountering the strong faith of people from various religious traditions has profoundly changed her heart.
Under her leadership, EWTN News continues to cover numerous issues related to religious freedom.
Alvarado encourages Catholics to support religious freedom for all, emphasizing that the search for God must be free from coercion.
She believes that while Christians can offer Jesus Christ as the answer, only the Holy Spirit can truly move hearts in His perfect time.
Looking Forward
As Montse Alvarado continues to lead in her role at EWTN News, her commitment to religious freedom remains steadfast.
With a deepened faith and a clear sense of purpose, she is poised to continue making a significant impact in the ongoing fight for religious liberty worldwide.
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