re: USCCB Religious Freedom Newsletter

Non datur libertas sine veritate. Vol. V, No. 3 Dear sisters and brothers, May the peace of the Risen Christ be with you! In the earliest days of Holy Week, we watched in horror as the roof of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris was engulfed in flames. That horror was far surpassed by the Easter terror attacks on our Christian brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka. Indeed, in many parts of the world, Christians deal with the threat of violent persecution on a daily basis, while we in Europe and North America face an increasingly intolerant secularism, which threatens our ministries and institutions. These challenges remind us of the importance of religious freedom for civic peace and the common good. Religious Freedom Week, June 22-29, is a time when all of us can take a few moments to promote our first freedom through prayer and action. In the midst of our trials, we must look to Jesus Christ. The death and resurrection of Our Lord strengthens us as we work together to bear witness to the kingdom of God. With prayerful best wishes, I am Sincerely yours in the Lord, Most Reverend Joseph Kurtz Archbishop of Louisville Chair, Committee for Religious Liberty Religious Freedom Week 2019 - Strength in Hope Religious Freedom Week takes place June 22 - 29.  In the face of our country's challenges, and challenges within the Church herself, Catholics find strength in the hope of Jesus Christ. We want to share that hope with everyone.  Find out more at www.usccb.org/ReligiousFreedomWeek! President of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Issues Statement on Terrorist Attacks at Multiple Churches and Hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday (CNS Photo/Paul Haring) This evil cannot overcome the hope found in our Savior's Resurrection. May the God of hope who has raised his Son, fill all hearts with the desire for peace. Read more. Broad Coalition of Faith Leaders Urge Trump and Other U.S. Leaders to Uphold Religious Liberty In an April 4 letter, more than 140 religious leaders, including the chairmen of three U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' committees, called on President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and congressional leaders to uphold principles of religious freedom following a series of attacks on people of faith, clergy and houses of worship. Full text and signatories Urge Lawmakers to Oppose the So-Called Equality Act! (CNS Photo/Tyler Orsburn) The designers of the Equality Act claim that this legislation protects people from discrimination.  In reality, the Equality Act retracts religious freedom, endangers privacy, regulates speech, hinders quality health care, and threatens charitable organizations and those whom they serve. Contact your senators and representative today and urge them to oppose the Equality Act! God's Servant First: Freedom of the Church and the Equality Act By Aaron M. Weldon Part of the push for the Equality Act is driven by a real sense of compassion for people who have been victims of unjust discrimination.  But the Act threatens the freedom of the Church to engage in her mission. Many Catholic institutions would not survive the Equality Act. Read more. First Freedom Podcast On Episode 24, USCCB staffers Mary McClusky, Todd Scribner, and Aaron Weldon talk about polarization in the Church.  Check it out! Action Alerts Urge Lawmakers to Support the LIFT for Charities Act! The Lessening Impediments From Taxes (LIFT) for Charities Act of 2019 (H.R. 1545/S. 632) is bipartisan legislation that would repeal Internal Revenue Code Section 512(a)(7), more commonly known as the "parking lot tax."  Contact your senators and representative today and ask them to support the LIFT for Charities Act! Tell the Senate to reject religious tests for judicial nominees!   Recent nominees to the federal judiciary have endured pointed questions about their faith during confirmation hearings and in written questionnaires.  It is time for these discriminatory, anti-Catholic questions to stop.  Contact your senators today! Support the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act The federal Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act (H.R. 897 / S. 274) would prevent government discrimination against faith-based child welfare service providers, including adoption and foster care agencies.  Contact your senators and representative today and ask them to co-sponsor and support the federal Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act! Follow us on Twitter! For up-to-date religious freedom news, follow @USCCBFreedom today! www.usccb.org/freedom