(United States Conference of Catholic Bishops headquarters building in Washington D.C.)
Urge strong lay involvement; Outline threats to First Freedom at all levels of government and abroad; Call upon dioceses to pursue religious liberty fortnight, June 21-July 4
WASHINGTON - The U.S. bishops have issued a call to action to defend religious liberty and urged laity to work to protect the First Freedom of the Bill of Rights. They outlined their position in "Our First, Most Cherished Liberty." The document was developed by the Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), approved for publication by the USCCB Administrative Committee March 13, and published in English and Spanish April 12.
The document can be found at http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/our-first-most-cherished-liberty.cfm.
"We have been staunch defenders of religious liberty in the past. We have a solemn duty to discharge that duty today," the bishops said in the document, "...for religious liberty is under attack, both at home and abroad."
The document listd concerns that prompt the bishops to act now. Among concerns are: