Issues
Religious Freedom
“Religious freedom certainly means the right to worship God, individually and in community, as our consciences dictate. But religious liberty, by its nature, transcends places of worship and the private sphere of individuals and families. Because religion itself, the religious dimension, is not a subculture; it is part of the culture of every people and every nation.”
— Pope Francis, September 26, 2015, Philadelphia, PA, Meeting for Religious Liberty with Hispanic Community and other Immigrants
The Conference advocates for public policies that protect freedom of conscience and the right of individuals and institutions to be true to their faith in worship and in deed. This right is inherent in natural law, and is enshrined in our commonwealth’s and nation’s founding documents.
Recently …
News, statements or actions
- US Bishops chairmen urge support for “First Amendment Defense Act”
- USCCB religious liberty committee chair statement on Attorney General’s religious liberty guidance
- US Bishops & 32 organizations urge Congress to pass Conscience Protection Act of 2017
- USCCB chair applauds US Supreme Court decision protecting religious freedom
- Solidarity at the service of all people in the Middle East, USCCB statement, February 10, 2017
- Supreme Court justice talks about his faith and religious liberty principles at stake today
- Religious liberty and the practice of charity, John Garvey, J.D., President, The Catholic University of America
Living our faith
Catholic Church ministries and resources that serve religious freedom include:
- Fortnight for Freedom, Diocese of Arlington
- Frequently asked questions on religious liberty, USCCB
- Religious liberty page and fact sheets, USCCB
- Pastoral care of immigrants and refugees, USCCB
- USCCB advocacy campaigns to protect religious liberty
What is Religious Liberty? Courtesy of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
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