The Work to Promote Religious Liberty Must Remain Anchored to the Truth of the Gospel, says Bishop Rhoades

WASHINGTON – As the United States commemorates Religious Freedom Day on January 16, the Committee for Religious Liberty of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued its annual report on the state of religious freedom in the United States. The report identifies and offers ways that Catholics can respond to five areas of critical concern—both threats and opportunities: the targeting of faith-based immigration services, antisemitism, IVF mandates, the scaling back of gender ideology in law, and parental choice in education. 

“This Jubilee Year offers us a chance to reflect on the necessity of patience and long-suffering in our work to bear witness to the truth,” said Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee for Religious Liberty. 

“Pope Francis refers to the biblical image of the anchor as a symbol of hope: ‘The image of the anchor is eloquent; it helps us to recognize the stability and security that is ours amid the troubled waters of this life, provided we entrust ourselves to the Lord Jesus.’ . . . In the years since the U.S. bishops established a committee to promote religious liberty, we have indeed seen troubled waters. Trends have come and gone, and political winds have shifted back and forth. The ministry of the bishops to promote our first, most precious liberty has sought to remain anchored to the truth of the gospel, and we ask for the grace of this Jubilee to continue to remain steadfast in our principles.

“As we look to 2025, we anticipate that long-standing concerns will continue to require our vigilance, while new concerns, and perhaps opportunities, will also present themselves. Political leaders of countries may change, and public policy priorities may shift amidst various contemporary circumstances, but our patient and steadfast commitment to Jesus Christ and the gospel must not change. I pray that this report will serve as a resource to Christians, and all people of goodwill, who seek to promote and defend religious freedom.”

Read the full report: https://www.usccb.org/religious-liberty/2025-annual-report.

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