6/5/2012 – Fortnight for Freedom –

The Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a document in April of this year entitled, "Our First, Most Cherished Liberty,” that outlines the bishops’ concerns over threats to religious freedom, both in our own country and other countries abroad. The bishops called for us to recognize a “Fortnight for Freedom”.  This is 14-day period of prayer, education and action in support of religious freedom, from June 21-July 4.

All bishops in their own dioceses are encouraged to organize events in order to highlight the importance of defending religious freedom on many different levels. Catholic institutions are encouraged to do the same, especially in cooperation with other Christians and people of other faiths, with all who wish to defend our most cherished freedom.

This “Fortnight for Freedom” will begin on the evening of June 21 with the vigil of the feast of St Thomas More and St John Fisher, both of whom were beheaded during the reign of Henry VIII in England for their unwillingness to waiver in their steadfast Catholic faith.  It will end on July 4 with our country’s independence day.  I will be focusing on this event through my homilies and through other events we will be organizing in our parish. 

Below is a prayer that was on the USCCB website that all believers can pray in the spirit of the religious freedom that is so dear to us in our country:

Almighty God, Father of all nations,

For freedom you have set us free in Christ Jesus (Gal 5:1).

We praise and bless you for the gift of religious liberty,

the foundation of human rights, justice, and the common good.

Grant to our leaders the wisdom to protect and promote our liberties;

By your grace may we have the courage to defend them, for ourselves and for all those who live in this blessed land.

We ask this through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, our patroness,

and in the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

with whom you live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.