June 16, 2021 at 7:07 p.m.
PRISON
IN FREEDOM
Religious Freedom Week 2021
“Solidarity means much more than engaging in sporadic acts of generosity. It means thinking and acting in terms of community” (Fratelli tutti, 116).
Religious freedom allows the Church, and all religious communities, to live out their faith in public and to serve the good of all. Beginning June 22 — the feast of Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher — and running until June 29, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops invites Catholics to pray, reflect and act to promote religious freedom.
JUNE 22
Adoption and foster care
PRAY
Pray that children waiting to be placed in a loving home and the caregivers who serve those children will find strength and support from the Church.
ACT
The Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act prevents faith-based child welfare service providers from being targeted by government discrimination. The Act would prohibit the federal government and any state that receives certain federal funding from discriminating against child welfare service providers on the basis that they decline to provide a child welfare service that conflicts with their sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions. Contact your U.S. senators and representatives today and ask them to co-sponsor and support the federal Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act!
JUNE 23
Catholic social service
during the pandemic
PRAY
Pray that God would continue to grant Catholic institutions the wisdom and courage to serve a world suffering the effects of the COVID pandemic.
ACT
Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Albany have worked nonstop through the pandemic to help the most vulnerable. Donate today at https://www.ccrcda.org.
JUNE 24
The Equality Act
PRAY
Pray that the dignity of all people will be respected in our country.
ACT
The Equality Act discriminates against people of faith and, by including a potential abortion mandate, threatens unborn life. Tell your elected officials to oppose it!
JUNE 25
Church vandalism
PRAY
Pray that Christian witness in the face of attacks on our churches will convert hearts to faith in Jesus Christ.
ACT
The recent vandalism of churches and their sacred art gives us the opportunity to bear witness to our hope in the Lord whose beauty is revealed on the Cross. The USCCB Beauty Heals initiative invites us to learn about works of devotional art significant to local churches and how they inspire Catholics to live beautifully. Learn more at www.usccb.org/BeautyHeals.
JUNE 26
Catholics in Nicaragua
PRAY
Pray for our Catholic sisters and brothers who are suffering in Nicaragua.
ACT
In addition to political turmoil, Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in Latin America that is often beset with natural disasters. Catholic Relief Services began working in Nicaragua in 1964. Support CRS’s agricultural, emergency relief, health and youth job training programs to help save lives.
JUNE 27
Conscience rights for
medical professionals
PRAY
Pray that governments would respect the consciences of all people who care for the sick and vulnerable.
ACT
While existing federal laws already protect some conscientious objections to abortion, sterilization, and gender reassignment surgery in theory, this protection has not proved effective in practice. These laws can only be enforced by complaint to the Office for Civil Rights at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which has in the past refused to fully enforce these laws. The Conscience Protection Act would address deficiencies that block effective enforcement of existing laws, most notably by establishing a private right of action allowing victims of discrimination to defend their own rights in court. Contact your elected officials in Congress and urge them to support the Conscience Protection Act!
JUNE 28
Christians in Iraq
PRAY
Pray for Christians in Iraq, and that people of all faiths in the land of Abraham may live in peace.
ACT
Various international Catholic agencies are providing humanitarian assistance to the millions who have been affected and displaced by these conflicts in Iraq. You can join these efforts by donating to the Knights of Columbus Persecuted Christian fund. Support our brothers and sisters in the Middle East today!
JUNE 29
Free speech
PRAY
Pray that Christians will have the courage to speak the truth with kindness and clarity, even in the face of adversity.
ACT
Connect with the USCCB Committee for Religious Liberty. Text FREEDOM to 84576 and sign up for First Freedom News, the Committee’s monthly newsletter.
Source: www.usccb.org/committees/religious-liberty/religious-freedom-week
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