Catholic bishops offer broader perspective on religious freedom than that often heard
Catholic bishops offer broader perspective on religious freedom than that often heard
Issues cited by church leaders include civility, treatment of immigrants
Religious freedom has a negative reputation in much of the U.S. political world as Christian nationalists and other religious conservatives often make religious freedom synonymous with the perceived right to discriminate against LGBTQ persons or to prioritize certain religious views above other religious beliefs. But as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops demonstrates, religious freedom is a much broader concept that includes the protection of rights for a broad array of people.
The USCCB has declared this week, starting today, as Religious Freedom Week 2024 and is calling on Catholics to pray, reflect and act on pertinent issues. And while those views have some perspectives in common with those of the religious right — the bishops call for freedom of conscience for Catholic health workers with regard to abortion, for example — they also include concerns such as protection for refugees and the treatment of non-Christian people of faith.
The bishops are launching the week to coincide with the feast day of St. Thomas More and St. Thomas feature. More and Thomas are known for, among other things, being executed for their opposition in the 16th century to the divorce of King Henry. Their consciences had put them in conflict with the king. The two “show us what faithful citizenship looks like,” the bishops said in explaining the tie-in to Religious Freedom Week:
These men gave their lives for the freedom of the Church and for freedom of conscience. They bear witness to the truth that no government can make a claim on a person’s soul. May their example continue to illuminate the path for us, as we seek to faithfully serve our Church and country.
Here is a summary of the bishops’ perspectives as they urge Catholics to pray, reflect and act on religious freedom:
Today, Saturday, June 22, respect for sacred spaces: The bishops cited anti-Catholic vandalism, antisemitic action and anti-Muslim activities as examples of lack of respect for the places that believers of various religious hold dear. The bishops said: “There is no greater threat to religious liberty than for one’s house of worship to become a place of danger, and the country sadly finds itself in a place where that danger is real. We Catholics can express our solidarity with the whole human family by working to build a culture where all houses of worship are treated with respect.”
Sunday, blasphemy and apostasy laws: The bishops cite a Pew Research study that found anti-blasphemy laws in 79 out 198 of the countries studied (most are Muslim-dominated), and seven of them have the death penalty for violations. The bishops point out that the Aid to the Church in Need provides pastoral and humanitarian assistance to persecuted Catholics around the world.
Monday, freedom to speak the truth: The bishops urge Catholics to be examples “of how people of faith can voice beliefs about love and marriage with clarity and compassion.” They expressed concern that the Biden administration is “proposing regulations that, in the name of prohibiting harassment, would chill or prohibit speech that upholds the nature of conjugal marriage, the bodily reality of human beings, and even the sanctity of life.”
Tuesday, service to immigrants: The bishops lamented that “Christian services to migrants have faced vile attacks by both media personalities and political leaders seeking to make a point about current immigration trends.” On the political front, the bishops urged Catholics to oppose House Resolution 2, the proposed Secure the Border Act, “which targets organizations serving newcomers, underscore both the partisan nature of the immigration debate and the potential for religious groups to be scapegoated for the consequences of public officials failing to achieve just, bipartisan solutions on immigration.”
Wednesday, India: The bishops criticized oppression of Muslims and Christians under the Hindu-dominated leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party in India. They pointed out that hundreds of Christian churches have been burned or otherwise destroyed in recent years, and that hate speech, particularly against Muslims, is on the rise.
Thursday, implementation of pregnancy law: The bishops endorsed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act before it was passed in 2022. But they now see the rules implementing the law as making employers complicit in their employees obtaining abortions. The bishops say that “religious employers should honor the pro-woman, pro-life intent of the law Congress passed, and grant pregnant employees reasonable accommodations that allow them to have healthy pregnancies.”
Friday, civility: The bishops urged Catholics to follow the example of the Good Samaritan and “become neighbors to all” in seeking “a better kind of politics, one truly at the service of the common good” instead of division and polarization.
Saturday, June 29, Catholic health care: The bishops call on governments to “respect the consciences of all individuals and institutions that care for the sick and vulnerable.” They highlight the role of Catholic hospitals and medical providers and are concerned about regulations that would expect them to violate their consciences in matters such as abortion and gender transition.