Religious Freedom Week Observed June 22-29; Catholics Encouraged to Pray and Act

Religious Freedom Week 2019: Strength in Hope takes place from June 22 to 29. The week began with the feast day of Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher, includes the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, and ends with the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.

Religious liberty issues are of particular concern for the bishops at the present time. Religious institutions and people of faith face challenges in our current cultural and political climate. Catholics across the country are encouraged to pray and act for the freedom to serve faithfully and with integrity.

Wednesday, June 26 marks four years since the U.S. Supreme Court decision in  Obergefell v. Hodges that redefined marriage to accommodate same sex couples. This ruling does not recognize the unique and foundational role that marriage as a life-long, exclusive union between a man and a woman plays in the health of our society and the flourishing of humanity, especially children. It also threatens both religious liberty and the freedom of individuals to conscientiously object as seen in several cases involving business owners.

Additionally, a major area of concern continues to be the freedom for child welfare service providers to place children according to the agency's deeply held beliefs on the best environment for the raising of children. In places like Illinois, Massachusetts, California, and D.C., service providers like Catholic Charities who have a track record of excellence in recruiting and assisting foster families have been shut down. The federal Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act (H.R. 897 / S. 274) would protect the religious liberty of child welfare providers, including adoption and foster care agencies. All are encouraged to visit the  USCCB Action Center to contact federal lawmakers and urge their support for this important legislation.

Religious freedom encompasses a number of areas affecting not just our Church, but all people of faith who seek to live out their faith in daily life, in the public square.

Learn more about defending our first freedom at  www.usccb.org/ReligiousFreedomWeek