The Feasts of Ss. Thom6as More and John Fisher on June 22, 2024, mark the start of Religious Freedom Week, a call by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for all Catholics across the United States to pray, reflect on, and promote religious freedom.
The annual observance includes the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, June 24, and ends with the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul on June 29.
Sponsored by the USCCB Committee for Religious Liberty, Religious Freedom Week encourages Catholics to do their part to promote civility by recognizing the dignity of all people and inviting others to do the same.
This year, with the theme of “Called to the Fullness of Dignity,” Religious Freedom Week highlights concern about attacks on houses of worship, and calls attention to threats to Catholic ministries that serve immigrants. The attacks on both sacred spaces and ministries to migrants reflect the political and cultural polarization that has come to characterize so much of American life.
Religious freedom allows the Church, and all religious communities, to live out their faith in public and to serve the good of all.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane encourages the faithful of the Diocese to be aware of the challenges in today’s society including the threats to religious freedom faced both domestically and abroad.
Bishop Dewane said religious worship connects us with God, and one another, something that is protected in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
“When protected by law, religious freedom benefits not only the Christian, but also society, which can only be strengthened by the Christian’s free witness to the truth of Jesus Christ,” Bishop Dewane said.
During Religious Freedom Week, Catholics are encouraged to pray each day for specific related causes. Through prayer, reflection, and public action during Religious Freedom Week, the USCCB hopes to promote the essential right of religious freedom for Catholics and for those of all faiths.
Each day of Religious Freedom Week has a particular focus with topics including: respect for sacred spaces; blasphemy and apostasy laws; freedom to speak the truth; service to immigrants; India; faith at work; civility; and Catholic healthcare. The USCCB provides “Pray-Reflect-Act” resources which are available at www.usccb.org/ReligiousFreedomWeek.
The themes of Religious Freedom Week take on a special importance this year as there is a General Election which includes the voting for the next president and vice-president, the entire U.S. House of Representatives, 1/3 of the U.S. Senate, and many state and local offices.
Further, the faithful may connect with the USCCB’s Committee for Religious Liberty by texting FREEDOM to 84576 or signing up at First Freedom News: Monthly Newsletter | USCCB. Through prayer, education, and public action during Religious Freedom Week, Catholics can promote the essential right of religious freedom not only for Catholics, but for those of all faiths.
Materials prepared by the USCCB for Religious Freedom Week are made available to help people understand religious liberty from a Catholic perspective, reflect on the application, pray about particular issues, and act on what they learn by advocating for policies that promote religious freedom.
Additional USCCB materials can be found in English and Spanish at www.usccb.org/ReligiousFreedomWeek.
