Religious Freedom Week 2024
On June 22nd of each year we celebrate the memorial of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More.
St. Thomas More served as the chancellor of England. As such he was King Henry VIII’s “right-hand man.”
St. John Fisher with the Bishop of Rochester in England. (As such, he is the patron saint of the Diocese of Rochester in New York State where I serve). As you can see in my presentation, Three Saints to Aid Us, St. John Fisher had tutored Henry VIII as a child, collaborated with him in work against the teachings of Martin Luther, and was a benefactor of Henry VIII’s grandmother.
King Henry VIII had St. John Fisher beheaded on June 22nd and St. Thomas More beheaded a few days later on July 6th. Why did Henry VIII have these two men whom he had worked closely with beheaded?
Because they refused to accept the king’s order splitting the church in England from the Catholic Church and granting himself an annulment. Fisher and More did not recognize Henry VIII’s power to do this.
Together, Saints Thomas More and John Fisher serve as witnesses to us to hold to faith over politics, even if it means martyrdom. Government officials, no matter what position they hold, do not get to decide what Catholic teaching is.
Today people want religion to state out of government affairs. Conversely, government needs to stay out of religious affairs.
Many of the colonists of the United States came seeking religious freedom. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
There are those today who identify as pro-choice, meaning they support the rights of people to make their own decisions yet they want to force healthcare workers to perform procedures that violate their faith. (I wrote more about this in a recent article, “Pro-Choice or Not?”)
With this in mind, and recognizing the example of Saints John Fisher and Thomas More, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) several years ago began celebrating “Religious Freedom Week” to advocate and pray for religious freedom. The week begins on June 22nd, the memorial of these two great saints.
The religious rights of healthcare workers is just one of the intentions we are invited to faith for this week.
We pray for all people to be free to gather publicly to worship without fear of attack or persecution.
We pray for an end to laws in some countries that say it is a crime to speak one’s own faith instead of the majority religion of the country.
We pray for genuine dialogue between people of different faiths and ideologies.
There is a saying that religion and politics don’t mix. Often, it is true that religion and politics do not come together well. The government has a role to serve the people.
Religion is not about politics, but it is about caring for the people. Our Catholic faith calls us to stand up for what we believe is right, what we know is right. It is not easy. It may not be popular.
May we always hold to the truth of our faith with the courage the Holy Spirit gives us.
Peace,
Fr. Jeff