{"id":281,"date":"2012-06-12T08:19:00","date_gmt":"2012-06-12T08:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/news\/archbishop-lori-highlights-role-of-laity-in-fortnight-for-freedom\/"},"modified":"2012-06-12T08:19:00","modified_gmt":"2012-06-12T08:19:00","slug":"archbishop-lori-highlights-role-of-laity-in-fortnight-for-freedom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2012\/06\/archbishop-lori-highlights-role-of-laity-in-fortnight-for-freedom\/","title":{"rendered":"Archbishop Lori highlights role of laity in Fortnight for Freedom"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Washington D.C., Jun 12, 2012 \/ 02:19 am (CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore stressed the importance of laity involvement in efforts to defend religious freedom from the ongoing threats in the U.S.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cIt\u2019s important, of course, for bishops to be teachers and leaders.\u201d But \u201cit is crucial for lay men and women, mothers and fathers of families, lay leaders in all walks of life to advocate for freedom and justice in our society,\u201d Archbishop Lori told CNA on June 9.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cWithout those voices and without the involvement of the laity, we just won\u2019t get very far,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cIn the Church\u2019s understanding,\u201d he explained, \u201cit is the laity who are the ones that bring about the just and tranquil society. It is the laity who are the forefront of creating what Pope Paul VI called the \u2018civilization of love.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\tArchbishop Lori, who leads the U.S. bishops\u2019 religious freedom committee, encouraged the laity to get involved in the June 21 to July 4 \u201cFortnight for Freedom\u201d event through education, prayer and advocacy.<\/p>\n

\tThe U.S. bishops have called for the fortnight in response to growing threats to religious liberty, most notably a federal mandate that will require employers to offer health insurance plans that cover contraception, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs, even if doing so violates their consciences.<\/p>\n

\tThe mandate includes a very narrow exemption, but it excludes the majority of religious institutions, such as Catholic hospitals, schools and charitable agencies.<\/p>\n

\tReligious leaders and individuals around the country have spoken out against the mandate and the threat it poses to religious liberty. They have urged the Obama administration to broaden the exemption so that religious organizations are not forced to choose between violating their beliefs and shutting their doors.<\/p>\n

\tDespite widespread objection, the Obama administration finalized the mandate without change, while offering promises of a future \u201caccommodation\u201d for other organizations \u2013 a move that has already been criticized as inadequate.<\/p>\n

\tThe mandate is currently being challenged by lawsuits filed by more than 50 plaintiffs, including colleges, U.S. states, dioceses, nonprofit organizations and private business owners.<\/p>\n

\tIn addition, Archbishop Lori said, the laity can become involved in other key ways, including educational efforts regarding religious freedom.<\/p>\n

\tHe noted that one of the main objectives of the Fortnight for Freedom is \u201cto make sure that all of us, but especially our young, understand and accept what the Church teaches on religious liberty, and that we understand and accept gratefully our heritage as Americans.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tThis type of education is critical, and it is best done \u201cin the home,\u201d he said, explaining that families must work to educate the young on the importance of religious freedom.<\/p>\n

\tPrayer is also a significant way in which the laity can participate in the fortnight, the archbishop observed.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cWhile we will have a lot of coverage of the large Masses, we\u2019re also encouraging family prayer and private prayer by distributing prayer cards,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

\tThe bishops are urging Catholics to pray the Rosary and calling for \u201cmoments when both families and individuals would simply pray for the restoration and protection of our religious freedoms,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

\tHe added that study guides for families and children have been developed and are available online, as well as through the Catholic school system.<\/p>\n

\tArchbishop Lori also encouraged \u201cadvocacy\u201d with public officials.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cIt\u2019s very important that elected politicians hear, not so much from the bishops, but rather from Catholics and from all people of good will who are participating in this fortnight with us,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\tA legislative attempt to ensure a thorough religious exemption from the mandate was narrowly defeated in the Senate on March 1. Other legislation to defend religious freedom in the face of the mandate has been introduced but is not expected to come to a vote in the near future.<\/p>\n

\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Washington D.C., Jun 12, 2012 \/ 02:19 am (CNA\/EWTN News).- Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore stressed the importance of laity involvement in efforts to defend religious freedom from the ongoing threats in the U.S.<\/p>\n

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