Far from protecting hard-fought freedoms, modern human rights culture is being used to suppress liberty of conscience and restrain Christianity, he said. In one of his biggest addresses of the year, Benedict XVI said a false concept of human rights had gripped the western world. As a result, he said, religion is being marginalised and symbols of faith, such as the cross, are being treated with growing hostility. He also singled out how, he said, some charities and schools are limiting the freedom of Christians to practise or express their faith and spoke of the need for “conscientious objectors” who...