Washington, D.C. December 19, 2025 – The Religious Freedom Institute (RFI) is pleased to announce the release of a new publication – Freedom and Faithfulness: A Catholic Guide to Religious Liberty – which is the result of a partnership between RFI and the Knights of Columbus. Though intended for Knights of Columbus councils and members, this resource is relevant for all Catholics and other Christians interested in learning about the deep compatibility between Christianity and religious freedom.

As Freedom and Faithfulness makes clear, religious freedom for Catholics is ultimately grounded in the Church’s teaching that “man’s response to God in faith must be free.” Far from a concession for Catholics, upholding religious freedom for everyone is part of what it means to be faithful to Jesus Christ and His Church. Freedom and Faithfulness is designed to help Catholics explore the meaning and value of religious freedom, recognize how this freedom is protected in America, and identify ways to exercise it in their community.

Co-authored by Nathan Berkeley, RFI’s Associate Vice President for U.S. Strategies and Communications, and Jim Bennett, Director of RFI’s National Center for Religious Freedom Education, this guide is especially intended to be studied in small groups and is designed to align with the Knights’ COR framework. 

“It was an honor to partner with my co-author, Jim Bennett, and our Knights colleagues to produce this in-depth exploration of religious freedom grounded Catholic teaching,” said RFI’s Nathan Berkeley. 

“As a career educator dedicated to advancing America’s first freedom, I am delighted that we are now releasing this guide,” said RFI’s Jim Bennett. “I believe it will be a tremendous resource for college Knights and others who wish to deepen their understanding of the first principles of religious freedom.”  

Freedom and Faithfulness comprises nine sessions, each of which includes an opening prayer, a reading, a faith reflection, questions for discussion, and closing prayer. Many sessions also contain an action challenge, offering an opportunity for those gathered to further enrich their understanding of and appreciation for religious freedom through a variety of activities. The guide covers the following themes:

1. What Is Religion?
2. What Is the Connection between Religion and Human Identity?
3. What is the Connection between Religion and Human Dignity?
4. How Then Should We Understand Religious Freedom?
5. How Does Religious Freedom Promote Human Flourishing?
6. Does Religious Freedom Have Limits?
7. Is Religious Freedom Consistent with My Catholic Faith?
8. What Does America’s Founding Say about Religious Freedom?
9. What Has the Supreme Court Said about Religious Freedom?

“We are grateful for our partnership with the Knights of Columbus and excited to move forward with them to use this exemplary guide in training college students across America in 2026 and beyond,” said RFI President David Trimble.

Freedom and Faithfulness: A Catholic Guide to Religious Liberty is accessible here. 
A short video overview of the guide is available here.

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The Religious Freedom Institute (RFI) works to secure religious freedom for everyone, everywhere. RFI is a non-profit, non-partisan organization based in Washington, D.C.

Media Contact: Nathan Berkeley
media@religiousfreedominstitute.org
202-838-7734
www.RFI.org
@RFInstitute