In union with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Religious Freedom Week, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated a Mass for religious freedom at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington June 23, the day following the solemnity of the church’s patron saint.
With this year’s theme as “Life and Dignity for All,” Bishop Burbidge said in his homily, “we will never tire of protecting the unborn and the sacredness of all human life.”
Bishop Burbidge discussed current threats to religious liberty, most notably attacks on Catholic churches throughout the world and specifically attacks in the U.S. in response to the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
In light of the impending decision, Bishop Burbidge urged Catholics in the diocese to continue to promote the faith and to promote Catholic charities’ work that supports expecting mothers and their children.
“We must make sure that never ever any interference from the government will deter us from doing that work according to beliefs we hold firmly,” Bishop Burbidge said.
With the USCCB documenting more than 100 attacks on Catholic churches since 2020, Bishop Burbidge emphasized, “We are at a critical moment.”
With the feast of St. John the Baptist June 24, Bishop Burbidge recalled that St. John the Baptist’s persecutors did not ask him to deny Christ but rather told him to be silent. With St. John’s refusal to do so also came his martyrdom; Bishop Burbidge encouraged Catholics to likewise adopt this courageous attitude and to vocalize their faith.
For the remainder of Religious Freedom Week, Bishop Burbidge urged Catholics to do three things: pray, reflect and act. He encouraged Catholics to pray for the Religious Freedom Week prayer intention of the day, “for all those who are attacking our churches and threatening those who live out their faith.”
For reflection, Bishop Burbidge urged the faithful to reflect upon the lives of saints and all those who died to protect religious freedom. Lastly in his call to action, Bishop Burbidge stated that now is not the time to be silent, but rather to “courageously bring our faith into the public arena and elect those officials known for their support of religious freedom and protection of all human life.” By doing so, Catholics will not keep silent, as St. John the Baptist’s executors would have desired, but rather will promote and defend the faith, reminding the world of the church’s continual presence, he said.
