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Videos on Religious Freedom

Archbishop Llori on religious liberty
View videos on religious freedom from Archbishop William Lori and Bishop Ricardo Ramirez along with addresses given at the 2012 June General Assembly of Bishops by Archbishop Lori, John H. Garvey, Esq., Dr.Thomas F. Farr and the Most Reverend Shlemon Warduni.

Religious-liberty-cards-montage

Notable Quotes

"We need to render unto Caesar those things that bear his image. But we need to render ourselves unto God -- generously, zealously, holding nothing back. To the extent we let God transform us into his own image, we will – by the example of our lives – fulfill our duty as citizens of the United States, but much more importantly, as disciples of Jesus Christ." 

 

Fortnight for Freedom - Educational Resources

 

What do we mean by religious liberty?

Religious liberty is the first liberty granted to us by God and protected in the First Amendment to our Constitution. It includes more than our ability to go to Mass on Sunday or pray the Rosary at home. It also encompasses our ability to contribute freely to the common good of all Americans.


religious-liberty-home-masthead-image-thumbnailWhat is the First Amendment?

The First Amendment of the U.S. Bill of Rights states the following: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

READ MORE ON OUR FAQ PAGE


RESOURCES ON THIS PAGE

Speeches and Statements

Speeches

Fortnight for Freedom and Religious Liberty Video- His Eminence Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I, Archbishop of Chicago

Fortnight for Freedom Interactive Town Hall Meeting Video with His Eminence Seán Cardinal O'Malley, O.F.M. Cap, Archbishop of Boston

Una quincena por la Libertad— Most Reverend José H. Gómez, Archbishop of Los Angeles, June 22, 2012

Repair My House: Renewing the Roots of Religious Liberty - Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., June 20, 2012, Indianapolis

Religious Freedom and the Love of God — John H. Garvey, Esq., President,The Catholic University of America, June 13, 2012, USCCB General Assembly

Opening Remarks for Domestic Religious Freedom Hour, USCCB General Assembly  — Archbishop William E. Lori, Chairman, Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, June 13, 2012

Archbishop William Lori Speaks about the Fortnight for Freedom, May 24, 2012

Statements

Fortnight for Freedom Message from Pope Benedict XVI from Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, Apostolic Nuncio, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, July 4, 2012

Dignitatis Humanae, Reflections for the Fortnight for Freedom

Our First, Most Cherished Liberty: A Statement on Religious Liberty by the Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty, April 12, 2012 en Español

United for Religious Freedom, March 14, 2012 - The bishops on the USCCB's Administrative Committee thank "all who have stood firmly with us in our vigorous opposition to this unjust and illegal mandate," clarify what the mandate is and is not about, and call for a nationwide prayer campaign to restore conscience rights and religious freedom.

Pope Benedict XVI warns of threat to freedom of religion, conscience in US, January 19, 2012

Homilies

Homily, Courts and Moral Relativism. Archbishop Thomas Wenski, Archdiocese of Miami, FL, April, 23, 2013.

Fortnight for Freedom Closing Mass Homily- Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap, Archbishop of Philadelphia, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, July 4, 2012

Fortnight for Freedom Opening Mass Homily- Most Reverend William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption, June 21, 2012

Domestic Threats to Religious Liberty

Current Threats to Religious Liberty  |  en Español

Why We Need a Health Care Conscience Rights Act  |  en Español

Marriage and Religious Freedom  |  en Español

Discrimination Against Catholic Adoption Services   |  en Español

Discrimination Against Catholic Humanitarian Services  |  en Español

Discrimination Against Christian Students on Campus  |   en Español

Discrimination Against Small Church Congregations  |  en Español

Providing Pastoral Care to Immigrants  |  en Español


international threats to religious liberty

The Church and the Global Crisis of Religious Liberty — Thomas F. Farr, June 13, 2012

An Example from a Local, Suffering Church — Reflection from Iraqi Bishop Shlemon Warduni, June 13, 2012

Egypt: Christians in Egypt Suffer en Español

Indonesia: The Plight of Religious Minorities, Struggling to Survive in Indonesia en Español

Iraq: Christians Struggle to Survive in Iraq en Español

Nigeria: Boko Haram Runs Rampant English en Español

Pakistan: Assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti, Dying to Defend the Rights of a Suffering People en Español


religious liberty & marriage

FAQs Religious Liberty & Marriage

The protection of marriage (the union of one man and one woman as husband and wife) and religious liberty follows from the duty to safeguard the sacred dignity of the human person. But even more directly, the legal protection of marriage also protects the religious freedom of those who abide by that vision of marriage. Learn more about the connection between marriage and religious liberty.


Ecumenical/interreligious collaboration

Regardless of your tradition, we invite all people of faith to join in prayer and in a great national campaign of teaching and witness for religious liberty. This may take on many forms as there are beautiful religious traditions in our country and will itself serve as a sign of the religious diversity that flows from religious freedom and that makes our country great.

Free Exercise of Religion: Putting Beliefs into Practice- Religious leaders from many faiths in the U.S. have issued a statement on religious freedom. Catholics are not alone in the fight to defend our First Amendment rights!

Open Letter: Invitation to People of All Faiths - Archbishop William Lori, Fortnight for Freedom

Open Letter: "Marriage and Religious Freedom: Fundamental Goods That Stand or Fall Together" (Jan. 12, 2012)

     **Backgrounder

     **Executive Summary


Group Discussions

Reflections for the Fortnight for Freedom, daily reflections with readings and questions that can be used for group discussion or personal reflection.

Parish Resources (14 Ways to celebrate Fortnight for Freedom)


For more resources and for additional information on freedom of conscience, please visit usccb.org/conscience.



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