Define: Religious Freedom (Thoughts from Fortnight for Freedom)

This is an interesting time in our country’s history to be a faithful Catholic.  Even more interesting has been moving to Washington DC, a move that has thrust me even more into the center of the debate on defining religious liberty.

Today, I had the privilege of joining the Archdiocese of Washington in a celebration of Catholicism and religious liberty in the United States.  Right now, Catholics in the United States are facing what seems like an unprecedented attack on our beliefs on human sexuality. 

It might feel "unprecedented" but I promise you  it's not.  

Go watch For the Greater Glory, we don't have it bad yet.

(Spoiler alert...a little 11 year old is martyred.)

The entire afternoon was devoted to the history of the Catholic Church and religious liberty in the U.S.  It was truly a celebration filled with patriotic songs like the Battle Hymn of the Republic and My Country Tis of Thee.  Rooted deep in the patriotism was an acknowledgement of the fundamental necessity of religious liberty.

 The Knights of Columbus presented the colors 

and the St. Augustine choir led us in the National Anthem

From the beginning, religious freedom has been at the heart of American society.  Mayflower pilgrims were escaping persecution in England and built, at the foundation of the new colonies, the idea that men could worship based on their own conscience.  

Although religious freedom was important, anti-Catholic sentiments have persisted throughout much of American history.  In the early years, Catholics faced political ostracism and outright bans (Interesting read here).   It was overt anti-Catholic sentiments that led JFK to give quite a famous speech to a group of protestant ministers.  

One idea JFK presented in the speech reflects why an array of religions have joined together in the past few months to remind Americans of the true principle of religious liberty.  Kennedy said, “Today I may be the victim, but tomorrow it may be you — until the whole fabric of our harmonious society is ripped at a time of great national peril.”

Despite the limitations on practicing the faith openly, Catholics began investing in the country.  John Carroll, the first American bishop, spoke about the blood of Catholics that were shed in the fights of the War for Independence.

 By 1900, over fifty thousand religious sisters had made their mark in the United States establishing hospitals, schools, and shelters for the poorest and sickest of society.  Today, one in six patients is treated at a Catholic hospital.  Around 5.5 million patients are seen in one year.  

"We serve others not because they are Catholic but because we are Catholic," said the emcee.  

I could not agree with him more.  Authentic Christian service requires serving the whole person.  Faith is not something that we can leave in the pew after Mass on Sunday.  It defines every action, thought, and word.   

Unfortunately, this understanding of faith, the idea that it can and should permeate one’s life is not widely accepted.  Religious liberty in the public sphere is at risk because the idea that one can express faith in the public sphere is often met with great hostility.  

In January, the American bishops met with Pope Benedict who said the best defense of liberty is to have an informed and articulate Catholic laity. (More from Papa Benny to the American Bishops)  He acknowledged the challenge of living faithfully because of the increase in radical secularism, but implored the bishops and American Catholics to not shy away from who we are. 

Cardinal Weurl defined religious freedom today as the ability to worship and live according to the demands of one’s conscience.  It is not a matter of what rights are given to us, because our rights come from God and are only protected by man.

We are a people of hope he reminded us.  We live in faith and hope.  Faith  in Jesus Christ as our Savior.  Hope for the coming of the next Kingdom.  The New Evangelization is one way to live out and express this hope. 

Cardinal Weurl laid out three important prongs for growing in the New Evangelization.

1. Deepen our personal faith.
2. Be confident in the truth of the Gospel.
3. Share it with others.

The afternoon ended with a brief period of adoration and benediction.  Before bringing out the Blessed Sacrament, Cardinal Weurl asked us to kneel with him in thanksgiving to the Lord for the gifts of religious liberty.  

 What's more beautiful than the Eucharist?  Nothing.

He also reminded us that while there is a time to kneel before the Lord, there is also a time to stand.  And standing for religious liberty, freedom, is imperative for the duration of our faith.

It’s not popular to support the Church at times especially given today's secular culture. Follow the Pope's directive and become an informed and articulate member of the laity.  With knowledge and understanding, there is strength.  

 I have my share of fears, but if we don’t stand…then who will?

In moments of fear or doubt, take comfort in the words of Blessed John Paul II, “Open wide your hearts to Christ and do not be afraid.”