Catholics called to action in June for religious freedom

June 11, 2019

Texas Catholic Herald

WASHINGTON — Catholics across the country are encouraged to participate in “Religious Freedom Week 2019: Strength in Hope” June 22 to 29.

Held between the feasts Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher (June 22) and the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul (June 29), the week is an opportunity for the faithful to pray, reflect and take action on religious liberty, both in this country and abroad. 

This year, the week also includes the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) and the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. 

The theme for this year, Strength in Hope, is taken from the Second Vatican Council’s Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity: “Among the trials of this life they find strength in hope, convinced that ‘the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that will be revealed in us’ (Rom. 8:18)”.

“Catholics face challenges both in our current political climate of polarization and within the Church. Christian child welfare institutions and Catholics in public life are encountering significant obstacles to their work, while our brothers and sisters in places like Nigeria suffer violent persecution,” Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee for Religious Liberty, said. “We want to build solidarity and to encourage Catholics to persist in the struggle to advance the kingdom of God by finding hope in Jesus Christ.”

Through prayer, education and public action during Religious Freedom Week, the faithful promote the essential right of religious freedom for Catholics and for those of all faiths. 

The website www.usccb.org/ReligiousFreedomWeek has prayers, reflections and actions the faithful can take for every day of the week.

 

Join us, June 22 - June 29, as we pray, reflect, and take action on religious liberty, both here in this country and abroad.

 

 

Inviting All to Become One In Christ