The USCCB Committee for Religious Liberty, in collaboration with the Secretariat of Catholic Education and Our Sunday Visitor Institute, is hosting a religious liberty essay contest for high school juniors and seniors. This contest is an opportunity for emerging leaders to reflect on the principles of religious freedom and how they have seen faith put into action in the promotion of religious freedom. 

Religious freedom is a fundamental right for all people. The Church teaches in Dignitatis Humanae, 2:

This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits.

All people have an obligation to the seek religious truth and to order our lives according to the truth. The promotion and defense of religious freedom requires a steadfast commitment to the principle that men and women “cannot discharge these obligations in a manner in keeping with their own nature unless they enjoy immunity from external coercion as well as psychological freedom.” This principle applies to all people. However, in our polarized political culture, many Catholics in the U.S. tend to defend religious liberty only for their own political or cultural group, while disrespecting the religious freedom of those with whom they disagree.

Address any or all of the following questions: 

• How should Christians respond to this situation?
• What is the role of the Church in promoting religious freedom in such a polarized time?
• Who are examples of people who transcend partisan politics to promote religious freedom for all people?

Please include a bibliography.  Any reference style is acceptable as long as it is consistent throughout the document.  Essays should be no longer than 1,100 words. See contest rules for details.

Prizes

The first-place essay will be published Our Sunday Visitor, and the author will be awarded a $2,000 scholarship.

Second place will receive a $1,000 scholarship, and third place will receive a $500 scholarship.

Submissions

Essays are due April 16, 2025.  Winners will be announced in early June.

Please complete the consent form and include with submission.

Email submissions ReligiousLibertyEssay@usccb.org.