Massachusetts 2023

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, Christianity is the world’s largest and most widespread religion representing one-third of the global population with roughly 2.4 billion followers worldwide, and representing 58 percent of the Massachusetts population; and

WHEREAS, Christianity promotes the principles of love, kindness, decency and respect; and

WHEREAS, The Bible, a collection of religious texts that has sold over five billion copies worldwide, is the sacred text in Christianity and has played a critical role in literacy over centuries across the world; and

Whereas, Our fundamental right of religious freedom was born here in Massachusetts and will continue to be upheld across the state; and

Whereas, One of the most famous verses from the Bible is a quote from Jesus that says “love your neighbor as yourself,” a sentiment all can strive to follow, as a Christian or not,

Now, Therefore, I, Maura T. Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim the week of November 19th through 25th, 2023, to be,

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK

And urge all the residents of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this nineteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and forty-seventh.

By Her Excellency

Maura T. Healey

Governor or the Commonwealth

Kimberly Driscoll

Lt. Governor of the Commonwealth

William Franklin Galvin

Secretary of the Commonwealth

GOD SAVE THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS