{"id":3433,"date":"2013-06-05T23:03:00","date_gmt":"2013-06-05T23:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/news\/us-dioceses-prepare-for-second-fortnight-for-freedom\/"},"modified":"2013-06-05T23:03:00","modified_gmt":"2013-06-05T23:03:00","slug":"us-dioceses-prepare-for-second-fortnight-for-freedom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2013\/06\/us-dioceses-prepare-for-second-fortnight-for-freedom\/","title":{"rendered":"US dioceses prepare for second Fortnight for Freedom"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Washington D.C., Jun 5, 2013 \/ 05:03 pm (CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- Dioceses across the country are preparing for the upcoming Fortnight for Freedom \u2013 now in its second year \u2013 by organizing a variety of prayer and educational activities with a religious liberty theme.<\/p>\n

\tThe purpose of the Fortnight for Freedom is \u201cto educate people about the nature of religious freedom (and) to point out intrusions against religious liberty,\u201d said Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore in a video posted online by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.<\/p>\n

\tIn addition, the fortnight aims to show \u201chow people exercising their religious freedom enriches society in terms of charity, education and really building what we would call a civilization of love,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\tArchbishop Lori, who is the chair of the U.S. bishops\u2019 Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, explained that the Fortnight for Freedom will run from June 21 to July 4. The two-week initiative will highlight threats to religious liberty in various areas, such as immigration, health care, marriage and humanitarian services.<\/p>\n

\tAmong these threats to religious freedom is a mandate issued by the Department of Health and Human Services to require employers to offer health insurance plans that cover contraception, sterilization and some drugs that can cause early abortions.<\/p>\n

\tThis mandate \u2013 which is being challenged in court by some 200 plaintiffs across the nation \u2013 will go into effect for many objecting religious employers on August 1, shortly after the conclusion of the fortnight.<\/p>\n

\tThis is the second year that the bishops have sponsored the Fortnight for Freedom, as concerns over religious liberty continue to mount. In addition to the contraception mandate, worries have been expressed by religious individuals and organizations who object to recognizing a redefinition of marriage, health care providers that do not want to participate in abortion and similar procedures, and religious groups that provide services to all immigrants in need, regardless of their legal status.<\/p>\n

\tThis year\u2019s national fortnight events will include an opening Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore, Md., at 7 p.m. on June 21. The closing Mass will be celebrated at noon on July 4 in Washington D.C.\u2019s Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.<\/p>\n

\tThe national activities will be supported by diocesan-level initiatives throughout the U.S., including rosaries and holy hours for religious freedom. Dozens of dioceses have announced plans to hold prayer events during the fortnight, including holy hours and rosaries for religious freedom.<\/p>\n

\tSome dioceses \u2013 including St. Louis and South Bend \u2013 will hold Masses celebrating the opening and closing of the Fortnight for Freedom.<\/p>\n

\tIn Austin, Texas, church bells throughout the diocese will ring at noon on Independence Day to mark the end of the fortnight.<\/p>\n

\tOther dioceses and parishes are encouraging private devotion, fasting and contributions to spiritual bouquets during the two-week period.<\/p>\n

\tThe prayer that makes up the core of the Fortnight for Freedom will be supplemented by efforts to educate people across the country on the topic of religious liberty.<\/p>\n

\tPriests in many areas are being asked to dedicate a Sunday homily to the topic, and informational pamphlets have been prepared for distribution.<\/p>\n

\tIn addition, some dioceses \u2013 including Baltimore and La Crosse, Wis., \u2013 are hosting talks or panel discussions on religious liberty. Others are sponsoring public gatherings, such as the Archdiocese of Denver, which will host a public, ecumenical rally on the steps of the state Capitol building on June 22.<\/p>\n

\tThe U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has suggested other ways for local parishes and faith communities to participate in the fortnight. Ideas include daily rosaries, study groups, Eucharistic processions, days of community service and movie nights with a religious liberty theme.<\/p>\n

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

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

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