(LifeSiteNews) — Canadian pro-life and faith groups, including a Catholic cardinal, sounded the alarm over a new bill set to become law that criminalizes religious expression and belief when quoting parts of the Bible, including passages about homosexuality and gender.

The concerns relate to Bill C-9, known as the “Combatting Hate Act.” As reported by LifeSiteNews, the bill was recently passed by the House of Commons and is now almost through the Senate. Conservative, NDP, and Green Party MPs voted against the bill, a rare display of unity among the usually opposing parties.

In a letter to Canadian senators last month, Cardinal Frank Leo, who serves as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto, said that while the Catholic Church recognizes “the importance of addressing hatred and protecting individuals and communities from violence,” changes are needed to the bill.

“Every person must be able to live and worship in safety and dignity, and we support efforts that genuinely advance these noble goals,” he said.

Cardinal Leo said that many “faith leaders” as well as “civil liberties experts” have warned that there are “grave concerns” with the bill as written that were not addressed.

“Throughout the legislative process, thoughtful recommendations were offered to ensure that the legislation would both address the malevolence of hatred effectively while by the same token seeking to dutifully protect certain fundamental freedoms that Canadians cherish,” he wrote.

“Regrettably, the legislation in its current form clearly does not adequately address these serious concerns.”

The removal of the religious exemption prompted condemnation from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, who issued an open letter criticizing the proposed amendment and calling for its repeal.

Cardinal Leo noted how he is aware of the “broad coalition” “opposing the bill in its current formulation.”

“In fact, we are speaking of millions of Canadians representing many and diverse religious traditions, faith communities, interest groups, organizations and affiliates – including non-religious institutions as well,” he wrote.

“It is imperative that the commitments that the government has voiced as safeguards make their way into the bill itself. Only once enshrined in legislation can these protections — these rights — truly be honoured and secured.”

Cardinal Leo said clearly that Bill C-9 should not come at the “cost of diminishing or doing away with basic, fundamental civil liberties.”

“There is a way, and I pray the Senate will endeavour to discover it – whereby legislative mechanisms are introduced to eliminate the dreadful expressions of hatred all the while assuring that violation of acquired and recognized freedoms, especially for people and communities of faith – are preserved and enshrined, honoured and protected,” he noted.

“The future of our faith communities depend largely on the freedoms that allow us to do what we do, in great respect to all persons of all or of no faith in our multicultural, pluralistic Canadian society.”

Cardinal Leo asked the Senate to “carefully” consider amending Bill C-9 to make it “clear” that Canadians’ charter rights of “freedom of religion, conscience, and expression” are protected.

Campaign Life Coalition (CLC) campaigns manager David Cooke, who is also a Christian pastor, told LifeSiteNews that Canadians of faith should “prepare for increasing hostility” as a result of Bill C-9.

“With the passage of Bill C-9 in the House, Christians and pro-life advocates will almost certainly face an entirely new level of hostility, as the door swings open to actual persecution under a cloak of supposed legality,” he told LifeSiteNews.

Jack Fonseca, CLC’s director of political operations, said Catholics and all Christians must be prepared to “battle” for their religious rights.

Canadians urged to contact their senators to stop Bill C-9

Many Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) MPs blasted the bill’s passage, with MP and former CPC leader Andrew Scheer noting it was a “Dark Day” for Canada.

Also, the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) said Bill C-9 would “empower police” and the government to go after those it deems to have violated a person’s “feelings” in a “hateful” way.

The JCCF shared a link to senators to help Canadians make their voices heard.

As reported by LifeSiteNews, Bill C-9 has been blasted by constitutional experts as allowing empowered police and the government to go after those deemed to have violated a person’s “feelings” in a “hateful” way. The bill was introduced by Justice Minister Sean Fraser last year.

In a recent opinion piece, Cooke noted that Canadians “cannot” allow Canada to become a place where Christians are punished for quoting the Bible.

Cooke, however, offered hope that if enough Canadians speak out against Bill C-9 and pray for its end, “God can turn any situation around – even the passage of Bill C-9.”

“Whatever happens, we know His Word will outlast the verdicts of earthly judges and the bills passed in earthly parliaments. He wins in the end!” he noted