Resolution in Support for Religious Liberty

Resolution on Religious Liberty adopted by the 126th Supreme Convention on Aug. 7, 2008.

WHEREAS, The Catholic Church teaches that the right to religious freedom is based upon the inherent dignity of the human person, which is known through both reason and divine revelation; and

WHEREAS, Religious freedom means that all persons are to be free from coercion in matters of belief and conscience and, within due limits, no person should ever be forced to act in a manner contrary to his or her own beliefs or conscience; and

WHEREAS, The Catholic Church affirms that religious freedom is an inherent right which should be recognized in the governing laws of each country in such a way that it is acknowledged as a basic civil right; and

WHEREAS, Religious freedom is not a benefit that a government confers out of a sense of mere tolerance, and which it could remove, but rather it is an inalienable right rooted in the transcendent dignity of every human being; and

WHEREAS, Religious freedom is at the very heart of human rights because it encompasses freedom of speech, assembly and conscience, which together form the basis of civil society and respect for the individual; and

WHEREAS, The right to religious freedom is violated by many repressive regimes and societies around the world, leading to harassment, imprisonment and even death for many religious believers; and 

WHEREAS, Even in those nations where religious freedom is considered a constitutionally protected right, religious leaders and others who have expressed their opinion on public policy matters based upon their understanding of their faith have been dismissed as being intolerant and bigoted, and have even been brought before administrative tribunals for violating “hate speech” laws; and

WHEREAS, Pope Benedict XVI at the United Nations on April 18, 2008, affirmed that religious freedom is both an individual and societal good, saying that the full guarantee of religious liberty cannot be limited to the free exercise of worship, but must also encompass the public dimension of religion and the fact that believers are called upon to play an active role in building the social order;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That we will never waver in our efforts to promote the Church’s understanding of religious freedom as an inherent right of all; and that all religious believers have the right to express and live out the truth of their faith both in their personal lives and in the public square; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, That we pledge our prayerful solidarity and support for our fellow believers around the world – especially in Iraq, the broader Middle East and Asia – who suffer religious persecution at the hands of hostile governments and societies; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, That we resist the trend to treat religion as a purely private matter, and pledge our support for those who have been intimidated or harassed as a result of expressing their opinions on public policy matters based upon their understanding of the Catholic faith; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, That we urge our elected officials and judges to adopt laws and make judicial decisions that will protect the religious liberty rights of all citizens; and 

FURTHER RESOLVED, That we call for the adoption of laws that recognize and protect the right of conscience for doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other medical personnel, guaranteeing that they may not be forced to provide medical services which violate their religious beliefs; and we insist on similar protection for Catholic hospitals.