Religious Freedom Week

Statement by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge on Religious Freedom Week

June 22-29, 2023

"Religious Freedom Week affords us the opportunity to pray and reflect on the value of the right of religious freedom in our lives and to promote it in society. Religious freedom is a precious gift to be treasured and protected by all, and it is my hope that we all celebrate it accordingly during Religious Freedom Week, and always."

- Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Diocese of Arlington

Read Bishop's full statement in English / en español.

Watch Bishop Burbidge's homily for the Mass for Religious Freedom.

Explore the links below to find USCCB resources to Pray, Reflect and Act during each day of Religious Freedom Week.

June 22: Respect for Sacred Spaces

Pray that Christian witness in the face of attacks on our churches will convert hearts to faith in Jesus Christ, and that people of all faiths would be free to gather in sacred spaces without fear.

The very nature of a sacred space is that it is set apart from other spaces as a place of divine worship and thus should be treated with respect. In a pluralistic society such as ours, respect for sacred spaces is especially vital for the sake of civil peace, which is part of the common good.

June 23: The Seal of Confession

Pray that governments would respect the seal of confession, as the Church in the United States continues to work to remove the scourge of clergy abuse.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation, sometimes called Confession or Penance, brings healing to damaged relationships. In the Catholic Church, Confession is an important sacrament. This is a sacred encounter between the penitent and the Lord who offers forgiveness and healing through the ministry of the priest.

June 24: Nicaragua

Pray for our Catholic sisters and brothers who are suffering in Nicaragua.

Since 2018, when the Nicaraguan bishops supported civil society’s right to protest unpopular government policies, the Church in Nicaragua has been facing a systematic and persistent campaign of aggression from the government and pro-government operatives.

June 25: Religious Student Groups

Pray that religious student groups would be free to be faithful to their distinctive missions.

Participation in a religious student group at college can be an important part of a young person’s education. However, university policies meant to promote inclusivity – such as a rule that any student has the right to be a leader of a campus student group – have been used to prohibit religious student groups from ensuring that their leaders and members share their beliefs.

June 26: Religious Freedom in Nigeria

Pray that herders and farmers in Nigeria, whose conflict over access to land and resources has fueled religious tensions, may find the means to compromise and work out their differences in a non-violent manner.

June 27: Faith at Work

Pray that business leaders would promote a culture that welcomes faith at work.

The Catholic Church calls the lay faithful to bring their faith to bear on all spheres of life. Christians are not the only ones who should be able to live out their religion in a holistic way. All people should be free to allow faith to guide them in their daily affairs, even in work and business.

June 28: Service to Immigrants and Refugees

Pray that the Lord would protect all migrants and refugees, and that all those who work with people on the move would be free to serve.

The Church has long sought to serve the needs of “people on the move,” from providing for basic needs, to assisting with resettlement, to offering legal services to help newcomers navigate the expectations of their receiving country. However, Christian services have faced legal attacks.

June 29: Catholic Healthcare

Pray that governments will respect the consciences of all individuals and institutions that care for the sick and vulnerable.

Catholic hospitals and medical professionals face numerous challenges to their mission today. Activists have sought to undermine the Church’s mission by forcing Catholic hospitals to perform procedures that destroy human life and undermine human dignity, and people of faith who work in secular institutions may find themselves coerced into performing abortions.