Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In two days, we will be celebrating the 248th birthday of the United States of America. I am a proud American. I believe that American democracy is still the best form of government in the world. As a people, unfortunately, we have a very short memory. Many Americans fail to realize the great contributions and sacrifices made by so many individuals and groups in order to establish this great nation and the freedoms we possess. Some are surprised when I share that the major issue facing us as a people is not poverty, pro-life, artificial intelligence (AI), technology or education, but is “Religious Freedom.” 

Our country was founded by those who sought to practice their faith. They came to the New World facing difficulties and hardships in order to worship God and practice their faith free from the coercion and interference of outside governmental sources. Our Founding Fathers recognized the importance of God in the understanding of all freedoms. In the Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

In the Founding Fathers’ expression, there was a recognition that the authority of God gave credence to this new governmental authority. It was God, not government, that gave dignity to the human person. It was the government’s responsibility to protect those freedoms given to all of God’s children. 

In order to protect the individual rights of its citizens, the government created the Bill of Rights to limit the power of the federal government and to ensure the freedoms of individuals. Article III of the Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

The very first right of all citizens is to worship — the freedom of religion — and that the government shall not establish a religion. Yet my sense is that the government has established a religion in our modern times, and that is the religion of “secularism.” There is an alarming push to eliminate God from the public discourse. This is the first avenue for the replacement of our democracy. If one can eliminate God, then the final authority in the personal lives of individuals now shifts to the government. This can also be seen in the destruction of the “family,” which is another source of authority in the lives of individuals. Again, the authority of Mother or Father now can be replaced by educational authorities or governmental mandates.

Modern ideologies now become the imposed direction in the lives of individuals. Some offer that what is attempted is a “secular neutrality” but any “secular neutrality” under the guise of a mandate on religion and its teachings is a denial of freedom. We must be vigilant.

I would hope that many will see the necessity of the promotion of God and worship as protecting our freedoms. Understand what is at stake — eliminate God, and you eliminate the source of the dignity of all human beings who are fashioned by God, you surrender the definition of man or woman or the understanding of the nature of marriage. Will the government impose its sense of secularism to be taught in our schools or hold priests and deacons accountable for their preaching the gospel or the teachings of the Church? I am not being hysterical. I am being realistic. Forewarned is forearmed.

Our first President and, I believe, our greatest, offered this prayer:
“Almighty God: We make our earnest prayer that Thou will keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of … brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow-citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility and pacific temper of mind which were characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.”

Happy Birthday, United States of America, and may God continue to Bless us as we strive to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Sincerely,

Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki

Archbishop of Milwaukee          

Note: This blog originally appeared as the July 2, 2024, "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.