Freedom and the Dignity of the Human Person
Editor's Note: As caring adults, part of 
protecting children and youth from harm includes ensuring a safe environment where children and youth can nurture their spiritual growth. Promoting freedom is one manner in which we can further respect the inherent dignity of each person.
Every human person has an inherent dignity and deserves to be treated with respect. On our nation's Independence Day, we celebrate freedom. Freedom is a gift and all children have the right to a childhood free of abuse or other harm.
The United Nations adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child[1] in 1959, which continued the movement to protect children and youth across the globe. As we celebrate our national freedom this month, let us remember also those who may not have the same freedoms we enjoy.
And we pray:
We ask you to bless us
in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty.
Give us the strength of mind and heart
to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened;
give us courage in making our voices heard
on behalf of the rights of your Church
and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.[2]
References:
[1] https://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/children/
[2] https://www.usccb.org/committees/religious-liberty/religious-liberty-prayer-resources Prayer for the Protection of Religious Liberty
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