Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee

This past Saturday, after celebrating Mass at St. Matthew Parish in Oak Creek and addressing the congregation about “Fortnight for Freedom,” I was interviewed by a local television reporter. The reporter was very polite and asked various questions about the importance of “Fortnight for Freedom,” the Catholic Church’s attempt to highlight religious liberty.

I explained that the initiative was in response to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) mandate, which we believe is an unwarranted intrusion by the government into the life and identity of the Catholic Church. I emphasized to the reporter that this is an issue not only for Catholics, but for all people of faith – all Americans, in fact. When the government or any group attempts to limit freedom of religion, they are not only redefining religion (prohibiting the free exercise), they are redefining our country and the freedoms we have been privileged to enjoy.

Under the HHS mandate, Catholics are not the only ones who would violate the tenets of their faith. There is also no exception for those individuals who have problems in providing medical services which violate their conscience, such as the distribution and use of contraceptives. We as Americans cannot allow this.

In order to get my point across, I asked the news reporter how she would react if the government attempted to define what a news reporter, or a news agency may or may not report. Freedom of the press is intrinsically bound to freedom of speech, and is one of the most upheld amendments of our constitution.

Freedom of religion is a cherished freedom that is at the very heart of the establishment of this nation. The legal suit initiated by some bishops and Catholic institutions was done so reluctantly; they did everything to avoid this confrontation. The simple answer was to grant an exemption, but the flawed “exemption” too narrowly defined religious institutions.

We have a right to take our faith outside the confines of the walls of our churches. Simply put, we will not demand a baptismal certificate to see if people in need of our services are Catholic when we distribute food in our soup kitchens. All people in need of our assistance – whether Catholic or of other faiths – deserve all the help our Church can provide.

We can’t become complacent about any of our freedoms. Perhaps this will be our moment in history to demonstrate our willingness to stand up for our religious rights. There have been so many that have paid the price for freedom; this might be our opportunity to witness in the public square the fact that our religion places a personal demand on all of us to LOVE ONE ANOTHER. 

Note: This blog originally appeared as a special June 26, 2012 "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki for the "Fortnight for Freedom" observance. If you are interested in signing up for these emails, please click here.