By Dc. Tom Cuskey, editor
As our nation approaches the celebration of independence this July 4th, a recognition of the need for prayer to preserve an important aspect of our rights is being observed this week.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops designates June 22 through the 29th as Religious Freedom Week, stating that it “allows the Church, and all religious communities, to live out their faith in public and to serve the good of all.” It continues that “the USCCB invites Catholics to pray, reflect, and act to promote religious freedom.”
In the Diocese of Syracuse, the observance was opened with a Holy Hour at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
Bishop Douglas J. Lucia traced the origin of this observance to the Fortnight for Freedom which began with the June 22nd feast of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher and concluded on Independence Day. It’s now been focused to seven days of prayer and each day is themed to a specific aspect of the observance.
“One of the first themes, which I really feel sets the tone for the week, talks about respect for sacred space,” Bishop explained, adding that it is not just the buildings and places where we worship. “More and more it’s that respect for the sacred in people’s lives, and that we really need to respect the place of God in our society.”
Bishop believes this last point is something that is a struggle for those in modern society.
“This week is a reminder that God does have a place in our lives. I was reminded today that ‘faith builds upon but also respects reason’ in the words of St. Thomas Aquinas. That’s what the Church wants to communicate, that there is a place for faith, not only in our lives but in our life as a nation and as a world community.”
Daily themes resonate with that thought, Bishop adds, pointing out that the space of the confessional, notably the seal of confession, is among the topics. He adds that this week is more than just the freedom to spread the Gospel.
“It is about allowing a person to live by the values of their faith and not feeling that they have to compromise that.”
Learn more here: www.usccb.org/events/2023/religious-freedom-week
