In 1535, St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher were martyred for standing up for religious freedom and defending the sanctity of marriage in opposition to King Henry VIII.  In 1634, many Catholics fled Europe to escape persecution and threats against freedom of conscience.  The need to preserve and maintain our religious freedom today is just as important as ever.  In fact, threats to our religious freedom are ever present in our day and time. Listen to the speakers on this page and see how you can take action to defend your right to religious freedom.

Click HERE to download the National Shrine prayer for Religious Liberty

How To Talk About Religious Liberty

Aaron Matthew Weldon, Ph.D. - Religious Liberty Program Specialist, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

Click the play arrow below to listen to the full presentation from Aaron Matthew Weldon, Ph.D.

Check out these wonderful additional USCCB resources... 

USCCB First Freedom Podcasts: https://soundcloud.com/usccbclips/sets/usccb-first-freedom-podcast

USCCB Statement on Religious Liberty: “Our, First, Most Cherished Liberty”: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/our-first-most-cherished-liberty.cfm

USCCB Religious Freedom Blog: “God’s Servant First”:  http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/conscience-and-dignity.cfm

To listen to our latest Podcasts, and information on how you can take action to protect your                        Religious Freedom visit: www.usccb.org/freedom

Serving Others In God's Love:

Faith-Based Organizations And The Freedom To Serve

Hillary Byrnes, Esq., Assistant General Counsel and Lead Staff to the Committee for Religious Liberty, U.S. Confrence of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

Click the play arrow below to listen to the full presentation from Hillary Byrnes, Esq.

Check out these resources courtesy of Hillary Byrnes, Esq.

Testimony of Cathy Cenzon-DeCarlo, RN, New York State Operating Nurse who was forced to participate in abortion in violation of her conscience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mY82mPdjsz0&feature=youtu.be&list=PLpTzvCOJa7DA9dhIrAPuqD9vR4DfCJZ60

Free to Serve: “We are Catholics, We are Americans”http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/upload/Free-to-Serve-September-2017-Newsletter.pdf

Pope Francis & Religious Freedom newsletter of Pope Francis’ visit to the United States (Sept. 2015):  http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/fortnight-for-freedom/upload/Pope-Francis-Quotes-on-Religious-Freedom.pdf

Follow USCCB on Twitter: https://twitter.com/USCCB?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Sign up for USCCB “Action Alerts”: https://www.votervoice.net/USCCB/home

For up-to-date text messages, just text the word “FREEDOM” to 377377

USCCB Chairman Call Faithful to Prayer & Action Urging Congress to Enact the Conscience Protection Act: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTesQb1Kb9o&feature=youtu.be

Click on this link to download Hillary Brynes, Esq. power point presentation: https://s3.amazonaws.com/religiousfreedomstuff/Hillary+Byrnes+RFW+Presentation.html.zip

Christian Persecution Worldwide

Nina Shea, Esq., Senior Fellow and Director, Hudson Institute, Center for Religious Liberty

Click the play arrow below to listen to Nina's full presentation.

Click the play button below to listen to Nina's fascinating Q and A session

Check out these resources courtesy of Nina Shea, Esq.

Pray for upcoming Ministerial to Advance Religious Liberty: https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2018/05/282595.htm or http://www.ncregister.com/blog/kschiffer/u.s.-charts-new-strategy-for-international-religious-freedom

Final Day of USCCB Religious Freedom Week presentation by Archbishop Joseph Kurtz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TC3mcCzfdaI

Hudson Institute: Center for Religious Liberty:  https://www.hudson.org/policycenters/7-center-for-religious-freedom

“The ISIS Genocide of Middle Eastern Christians Minorities and Its Jizya Propoganda Ploy” by Nina Shea, Hudson Inst. https://www.hudson.org/research/12665-the-isis-genocide-of-middle-eastern-christian-minorities-and-its-jizya-propaganda-ploy
A shorter, more recent piece on the same subject: “’N’ for Nazarene” by Nina Shea, Hudson Inst.: https://www.hudson.org/research/14285-n-for-nazarene

Reliable avenues for direct aid to persecuted Christians in the Middle East:

Aid to the Church in Need: https://www.churchinneed.org/

Knights of Columbus: http://www.kofc.org/en/charities/christian-relief/index.html

Religious Freedom: Essential To Our Faith

Rev. Dr. Emmanuel P. Magro, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Catechetics and Religious Education, School of Theology and Religious Studies, The Catholic University of America

Click the play button below to listen to Father Magro's thought provoking presentation

Click HERE to download Rev. Dr. Emmanuel P. Magro's presentation

Living Out One's Faith In Daily Life

Kate S. Alexander, Associate Director of Advocacy and Outreach, Maryland Catholic Conference (MCC)

Click HERE to view Kate's presentation

Click the play arrow below to listen to Kate's full presentation.

Click the play button below to watch: Stand With Cathy For Conscience Rights

Check out these resources courtesy of Kate Alexander

Maryland 2018 Election survey results of Candidates:  http://www.mdcathcon.org/elections

MCC Catholic Advocacy Network (CAN) Sign-Up:  http://www.mdcathcon.org/joincan

Link to District 19:  http://www.mdcathcon.org/library/public/2018-Footprints/2018-District-19.pdf

Click this link for the video Catholics Called to Stand Up For Conscience Rights: