On June 20, Pope Francis spoke to a conference in Rome on international religious liberty and the global clash of values. “Religious freedom,” the pope said, “is not just a matter of thought or private devotion. It is the freedom to live — both privately and publicly — according to the ethical principles that are a consequence of the truth found.”
Pope Francis’ statement explains why the U.S. bishops are again asking Catholics and others to mark a “Fortnight for Freedom,” two weeks between June 21 and July 4. June 21 is the feast of Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher, who were martyred under King Henry VIII when he usurped the right to govern the church in his kingdom, replacing the pope, the authentic vicar of Christ. The fortnight ends on July 4, the holiday that commemorates our national independence. Independence from foreign government does not necessarily mean that people will be free under their own government. People can freely create a state that destroys a free society.
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