SW News: “Religious freedom is under stress throughout the world. Even in our western liberal democracies, discrimination against religion in general and Catholic Christianity, in particular, is growing,” said Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski, the acting chairman of the USCCB Committee for Religious Liberty.

Meditating on the theme of the Religious Freedom Week 2020 organized by the USCCB from June 22-29, the archbishop stated that the religious freedom ‘for the good of all’ must also encompass protecting those institutions that nourish the individual’s free exercise of religion.

Urging Catholics to pray and uphold religious liberty at home and abroad, the archbishop noted that “freedom of speech depends not only on one's right to say what's on one's mind but also on the existence of institutions like newspapers, universities, libraries, political parties, and other associations that make up what we call 'civil society.”

“The right to religious freedom has its foundation in the very dignity of the human person. Religious freedom is the human right that guarantees all other rights — peace and creative living together will only be possible if freedom of religion is fully respected,” concluded Wenski.

In response to the rising breach of religious liberty in the U.S. and around the world, the United States Catholic Bishops’ Conference has organized Religious Freedom Week; to pray, reflect, and take action on the cause.

As a part of the Religious Freedom week from June 22- 29, the USCCB has dedicated each day to address a specific problem concerning religious liberty.