By Jonah McKeown
The Catholic bishops of the United States are inviting Catholics to observe a week dedicated to prayer, reflection and action related to religious freedom with topics such as church vandalism, blasphemy laws and Christian persecution in India as particular areas of focus.
Marking Religious Freedom Week, which runs from June 22–29, the feast day of Saints Thomas More and John Fisher, the bishops invited Catholics to reflect on a particular topic related to religious freedom for each day of the week.
On these days, Catholics are asked to pray:
June 22: Sacred spaces
That all people of faith would be free to gather in houses of worship without fear. The bishops have tracked more than 320 instances of vandalism against Catholic entities since 2020, including against Catholic churches, pro-life pregnancy centers, maternity homes and other pro-life organizations across the country. These attacks have taken the form of vulgar graffiti, property damage, threats, theft and arson. In addition, data show that antisemitic incidents have surged since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
June 23: Blasphemy and apostasy laws
For all people of faith who live in fear of persecution under unjust blasphemy laws as well as those living under laws criminalizing apostasy. Blasphemy laws exist in nearly 40% of the world’s countries. Christians in countries such as Pakistan and Nigeria in recent years have faced conviction and sometimes even mob violence for apparent violations of the countries’ blasphemy laws, which often criminalize any criticism of Islam.
The bishops urged Catholics to support the work of Aid to the Church in Need, a papal charity that works to support persecuted Christians worldwide.
June 24: Freedom to speak the truth
That the Holy Spirit “would give us the courage to bear witness to the truth of the Gospel, even in the face of social and legal pressure.”
“Under the current administration, government agencies are 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,” the bishops said.
The bishops promoted as a resource a new website, Love Means More (lovemeansmore.org), which is designed to “bring clarity and compassion” to
issues surrounding love, marriage and sexuality by addressing “hidden assumptions about love.”
June 25: Service to immigrants
That “the Lord would protect all migrants and refugees and that all those who work with people on the move would be free to serve.”
June 26: India
For “our Christian brothers and sisters in India, who face harassment and violent attacks.” In recent years, Christians in India have decried an apparent rise in anti-Christian violence and Hindu extremism. Hindu mobs – often fueled by false accusations of forced conversions – have attacked Christians, destroyed churches and disrupted religious worship services.
June 27: Faith at work
That business leaders would be free to promote a culture of life in their workplaces. Specifically, the bishops discussed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which requires employers to accommodate women for workplace limitations that arise from pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions and which had the full support of the USCCB when lawmakers considered the bill in 2022. However, regulations issued by President Biden’s Equal Employment Opportunity Commission this year have interpreted the related medical conditions covered in the law to include abortion.
June 28: Civility
That “God would give us the grace to remember the dignity of all and invite others to do the same.” To this end, the bishops promoted an initiative formed in 2021 called “Civilize It,” designed to promote civility amid political polarization.
June 29: Catholic healthcare
That governments will respect the consciences of all individuals and institutions that care for the sick and vulnerable.
For more information, visit usccb.org/committees/religious-liberty/religious-freedom-week.
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