Religious liberty is a universal human right that allows people of all faiths—or none—to follow their conscience without coercion. The Catholic Church has long defended this right for Christians and all people because it is rooted in human dignity.

The Second Vatican Council teaches:

In other words, religious liberty is not just a Christian right, nor is it something granted by governments. It is a natural right given by God to every person.

But today, the conversation around religious liberty is often narrower than the Church intends. Too frequently, we focus on defending Christian institutions rather than ensuring that all people—of all faiths—are free to seek truth and practice their beliefs.

This raises a serious question: Are we defending religious liberty as a means to live out Christ’s mission, or are we simply trying to preserve power and privilege?

If our main concern is institutional security, we risk losing sight of the very purpose of religious liberty—to freely love, serve, and bring Christ to the world.

Defending Religious Freedom or Protecting Privilege?

If religious liberty is indeed a human right, we must defend it for everyone, not just ourselves. But do we?

Too often, we see a selective defense of religious liberty—where it is championed when it benefits Christian communities yet overlooked when others suffer.

Consider these examples:

• When Christian institutions face legal challenges, we rightly defend their ability to operate freely. But do we also stand up for Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, or atheists when their religious practices are restricted?

• When Catholic schools and hospitals seek exemptions from specific laws, we demand protection. But do we also support Native American sacred land rights or the right of Jewish communities to observe their traditions without discrimination?

• When Christians feel faith is being pushed out of public life, we protest. But do we also advocate for immigrants and refugees who fled religious persecution in their homelands?

If we defend religious liberty only when it serves Christian interests but remain silent when others face discrimination, we are not genuinely defending faith—we are defending Christian privilege.

The Temptation to Defend Institutions Instead of the Gospel

Beyond Christian privilege, another risk is that we become more concerned with defending religious institutions than with living the Gospel.

For example:

• We might fight to ensure that Catholic universities and hospitals remain free from government mandates—but do we fight just as hard to ensure that they truly serve the poor and vulnerable as Jesus commanded?

• We might advocate for religious exemptions for Christian business owners—but do we also ensure that their employees, including those of other faiths or no faith, are treated with justice and dignity?

• We might seek to protect churches from interference—but do we also acknowledge when religious institutions have failed morally, especially when dealing with past injustices?

Jesus never told us to fortify Christianity as an institution. He called us to live the Gospel. If our focus is primarily on protecting Christian influence rather than practicing Christian love, we have lost sight of our mission.

Pope Francis has warned against a Church that turns inward, seeking only to defend itself rather than to engage with the world:

A Church that is only concerned with defending itself will shrink. But a Church that uses its freedom to serve, love, and bring Christ into the world will flourish.

A True Test of Religious Liberty

Religious liberty should never be reduced to a political tool—it is a moral test. How we defend it should reflect the Gospel we claim to believe.

So we must ask ourselves:

1. Do we advocate for religious liberty only when it benefits us? If we believe in religious freedom, we should defend it for all people, not just Christians.

2. Are we using religious liberty to serve others or to protect institutions? We have missed the point if we focus more on maintaining power than on following Christ.

3. Are we living our faith boldly, not just defending it? The best way to protect religious liberty is to use it well—through acts of love, service, and justice.

Religious liberty should not be about keeping faith comfortable—it should be about giving us the freedom to live it fully, courageously, and with integrity.

A Call to Live Faith Boldly

Religious liberty is precious, but it is not the end goal. The end goal is Jesus Christ—and the life of love, sacrifice, and service that he calls us to.

A Church that uses its freedom only to protect itself will become defensive and fearful. But a Church that uses its freedom to pour itself out for others will shine as a light to the world.

So, what does it mean to use our religious liberty well?

In Part II, we explore what it truly means to live our faith—not just as a set of beliefs but as a way of life. Religious liberty is not just about what we are free from but what we are free for. How do we take up the cross and follow Christ in a world that often misunderstands faith? How do we defend and practice religious liberty boldly, with love and sacrifice?

Lord, you have given us the gift of religious freedom. Help us to use it wisely—not just to protect ourselves, but to serve you and love others well. Teach us to see religious liberty not as a privilege to guard but as a calling to live the Gospel boldly, with joy and mercy. Amen.