Free to Serve (USCCB Religious Liberty, 12/28/18)

Non datur libertas sine veritate. Vol. IV, No. 11 Dear brothers and sisters,   Merry Christmas, and may the light of Jesus Christ shine on you!   During Christmastide, Christians revel in the mercy of a God who brings light and life to a world longing for truth. After singing "O Wisdom from on high...to us the path of knowledge show" during Advent, we celebrate, both on the Solemnity of the Nativity and the Solemnity of the Epiphany, that God has revealed His light to the nations, and this light is the Word of God made flesh. We long for truth, and it is that desire for truth that undergirds the Church's promotion of religious liberty.   As we enter 2019, may all of us seek to serve the truth and so to reflect the light of Christ in a world that longs for the path of knowledge.   With prayerful best wishes, I am                                                                 Sincerely yours in the Lord,                                                               Most Reverend Joseph Kurtz                                                               Archbishop of Louisville                                                               Chair, Committee for Religious Liberty Archbishop Kurtz and Bishop Dewane Express Relief at Modifications to "Parking Lot Tax" But Seek Full Repeal CNS photos/Tyler Orsburn(left) &  Bob Roller (right) "We appreciate the Administration's effort to alleviate the 'parking lot tax' by allowing employers, including many non-profits, to retroactively reduce their nondeductible parking expenses. But full relief is needed from Congress to fix this unjust tax." Read more.  As our Church and communities face difficult issues such as racism, inequality, and political polarization, we are called to not only dialogue but also to begin the difficult work of restoring justice and reconciliation. Join the discussion and be part of the solution by participating in the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, February 2-5, 2019.  To register or for more information, visit www.CatholicSocialMinistryGathering.org. First Freedom Podcast On Episode 20 of the First Freedom Podcast, hosts Aaron Weldon and Mary McClusky hear from Danielle Brown, Associate Director for the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, about the bishops' efforts to promote racial reconciliation.  Check it out! God's Servant First Blog: Advent and the Bladensburg Cross By Aaron Matthew Weldon (CNS/Chaz Muth) Faith and hope, a desire to reach towards something that one does not yet comprehend, impels people, all people, to strive for and to achieve great things.  It is an impulse to sacrifice and to do good.  Read more. Follow us on Twitter! For up-to-date religious freedom news, follow @USCCBFreedom today! www.usccb.org/freedom