By US Conference of Catholic Bishops -
Religious Freedom Week 2022: June 22: Walking with Moms in Need
WASHINGTON | Religious Freedom Week takes place June 22-29. It begins with the feast day of Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher, includes the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, and ends with the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. The theme for this year is Life and Dignity for All.
This year, as we approach the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is especially mindful of the debates around our country about abortion. The Catholic Church plays a crucial role in bearing witness to the gospel of life and serving all who will be affected by these discussions and their outcomes.
The USCCB provides “Pray-Reflect-Act” resources at www.usccb.org/ReligiousFreedomWeek — one for each day on different religious liberty topics; this year, they focus on themes that intersect with life issues. Moreover, the USCCB’s Committee for Religious Liberty has collaborated with the Office of International Justice and Peace to raise awareness about religious liberty in China and in solidarity with people throughout the world who suffer for their faith.
Domestically, a major area of concern continues to be freedom for Catholic institutions, such as schools, hospitals, and child welfare service providers, to carry out their missions with integrity. In particular, protecting Catholic adoption and foster care will become even more vital, as we take new steps in building a culture of life and dignity for all in the United States.
To build a culture of life and dignity for all, the Church must support women and children. In 2020, the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities launched Walking with Moms in Need. This initiative ministers at the local level by having parishes be places where pregnant and parenting women can find support and accompaniment.
Through prayer, education, and public action during Religious Freedom Week, the USCCB continues to advocate for the essential right of religious freedom for Catholics and for those of all faiths. To connect with the USCCB’s Committee for Religious Liberty, please text FREEDOM to 84576 and sign up for First Freedom News, the committee’s monthly newsletter.
June 22, 2022
Pray
That local churches and communities will have the vision and the freedom to walk with moms in need.
Reflect
To build a culture of life and dignity for all, the Church must support women and children. In 2020, the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities launched Walking with Moms in Need, which seeks to help parishes become places where pregnant and parenting women can find support and accompaniment.
Catholic Charities of Central Florida answered this call by organizing a “diaper drop.” With some help from the Knights of Columbus, they were able to provide diapers and other hygiene products to mothers in need. With so many people out of work during the COVID pandemic, the program has been a true blessing to many. This is the kind of missionary work that the Church seeks to protect through its defense of religious freedom, and that all of us must commit to if we are to promote a culture of life.
Act
As part of the nationwide effort Walking with Moms in Need, parishes that have the support of their bishop and pastor are asked to complete a simple inventory of the resources currently available in their local area, assess the results and identify gaps, and plan and implement a parish response based on their findings. Learn about how your parish can accompany women and children at www.walkingwithmoms.com.
