"In the face of these challenges, our voice is vital," he said. "Debates about religious freedom in our country are often, sadly, polarizing. In our tumultuous political culture, Catholic laity must be equipped to participate in conversations about the future direction of our country."

Archbishop Lori will celebrate the fortnight's opening Mass the evening of July 21 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore. The archbishop will celebrate a special closing Mass July 4 in Orlando, Florida, during the Convocation of Catholic Leaders.

In the discussion that followed Archbishop Lori's presentation, some bishops spoke in favor of establishing a standing committee on religious freedom. Among them was Washington Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl.

"The challenge to religious liberty is a growing one," he said. "The dominant culture increasingly now finds that it's not just a matter of disagreeing with religious principles and positions. But there's a certain level of hostility becoming more and more evident. ... This problem is not going to go away."

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, who was USCCB president when the ad hoc committee was created, also spoke in favor of making it permanent.

He noted that bishops around the world "look to us in the United States (as) real quarterbacks when it comes to the defense of religious freedom" and added that he hears from "our ecumenical partners how deeply they cherish our leadership on this issue."

"I think it's enhanced the cause of interreligious and ecumenical dialogue, because we're not the only ones concerned," Cardinal Dolan said. "So, we need some permanence. We need some stability. And I think this is the way to go."

Some bishops felt the ad hoc committee did not need to become permanent because they felt religious liberty could be addressed by existing standing committees.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, New Jersey, also noted that it was "very unfortunate" that the vote on the committee was taking place a day after the bishops allowed its working group on immigration to cease to exist.

However, after the vote on the committee, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo announced he would allow the working group to continue its efforts, prompting applause from the bishops.

In a news conference after the meeting session, Archbishop Lori said he was grateful "it was not a pro forma discussion, but rather an opportunity for bishops in a wonderfully respectful and dialogic way, to express their views about" religious liberty.

"It's a big step to establish a standing committee," he said. "And so no one would expect it to be a walk in the park."

- - -

Gallagher is a reporter at The Criterion, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.