The U.S. bishops are leading our sixth annual Fortnight for Freedom from June 21-July 4. Join us for fourteen days of prayer and action to protect religious liberty in our country. This year’s theme is Freedom for Mission.

Day 4: What is Conscience? Why protect it?

Conscience is the judgment a person makes about an action, that it is good and wise and should be done, or that it is evil and must be avoided.  When we do what we think is evil, we learn to do and accept evil.  The Church teaches that doing what we think is evil is always sinful.  If we allow government to force people to violate their consciences, we endanger our healthcare system and our democracy.  Thomas Jefferson said, “No provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the civil authority.” (Letter to New London Methodist, 1809.)

What can I do?

Pray for the passage of the new law, the Conscience Protection Act of 2017

Take action:  Now is the time to contact Congress and advocate for the protection of life and freedom of conscience. 

Please take a moment to let your members of Congress know that we expect them to protect our most cherished liberties.

Click button below to sign the petition urging our senators and representatives to support the Conscience Protection Act of 2017.