CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- More than 1,000 people gathered in the nation's capital on June 24 to celebrate religious liberty and recall its importance in American life.<\/p>\n\tCardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, D.C. observed that \u201cthe history of the United States is the story of the struggle for religious freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cEach one of us individually and all of us collectively need to be free simply to be who we are, people of faith,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\tThe cardinal spoke at the \u201cCelebration of Freedom\u201d rally at George Washington University, which featured videos and speakers, along with music from the local St. Augustine parish choir.<\/p>\n
\tThe rally highlighted the rich heritage of religious freedom in America, as well as the contribution of Catholics in building and supporting the nation through various ministries, including schools, hospitals and charitable agencies.<\/p>\n
\tThe event drew large numbers of lay Catholics, including many families. Numerous local priests, bishops and consecrated men and women also attended.<\/p>\n
\tArchbishop Carlo Maria Vigan\u00f2, papal nuncio to the U.S., led the crowd in prayer for the protection of religious liberty. He told those gathered at the rally that Pope Benedict XVI supports efforts to promote and defend religious freedom in the U.S.<\/p>\n
\tThe archdiocesan event \u2013 which concluded with Benediction \u2013 was part of the Fortnight for Freedom called for by the U.S. bishops in a statement by their religious freedom committee.<\/p>\n
\tThe bishops have voiced concerns over growing threats to religious liberty both at home and overseas. Chief among these threats is 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
\tBishops from every diocese in the U.S. have joined individuals and organizations from a wide variety of religious backgrounds in protesting the mandate for infringing on the religious freedom of those who object to it.<\/p>\n
\tDuring the Fortnight for Freedom, which runs June 21-July 4, activities at the local and national levels encourage Catholics and others of good will to engage in prayer, education and advocacy in support of religious liberty.<\/p>\n
\tCardinal Wuerl told the crowd that in addition to working to protect freedom, the current fortnight \u201cis also a time for us to count our blessings.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cThe greatest gift that humanity has received is the Son of God, Jesus Christ,\u201d he explained, and it is in Church \u2013 the \u201cliving witness\u201d \u2013 that we embrace Christ today.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cWe look to the Church, alive and active, as the presence of Christ in our world today, just as when he walked among us, they felt his touch,\u201d the cardinal reflected.<\/p>\n
\tHe added that Christ\u2019s followers must be \u201cfree to embrace\u201d the Gospel message and live it out.<\/p>\n
\tReligious liberty is therefore \u201cour freedom not only to worship God but to follow Christ, his Gospel and live according to the demands of conscience,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\tThis is not a right given by the government, he stressed, but is rather \u201cfrom God.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tIn discussing the great need to protect religious freedom, Cardinal Wuerl highlighted the importance of prayer.<\/p>\n
\tHe also emphasized the role of the laity, pointing to Pope Benedict XVI\u2019s remarks to a group of U.S. bishops in January. The pope said that the best defense against the growing \u201cradical secularism\u201d in American culture is a \"engaged, articulate and well-formed Catholic laity.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tThe faithful must be active participants in the New Evangelization, growing in their own faith so that they can confidently share the truths of this faith through their lives, said the cardinal.<\/p>\n
\tWhile the challenge to live out our faith \u201cmay at times seem daunting,\u201d we are a people of hope, he said, adding that when we feel overwhelmed, we can remember that \u201cJesus already has won the victory.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tCardinal Wuerl urged the faithful to remain strong in faith and hope as they continue in the ongoing struggle for religious freedom.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cThere\u2019s a time to be on one\u2019s knees,\u201d he said, observing that his remarks would be followed by Benediction and all would kneel to acknowledge the \u201cpresence of our Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tHowever, he added, there is \u201calso a time to stand up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cToday, we are reminded as we look back over our history and we look at our freedoms, that there are some things worth standing for,\u201d the cardinal said. \u201cAnd religious liberty is one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
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Washington D.C., Jun 25, 2012 \/ 04:31 pm (CNA\/EWTN News).- More than 1,000 people gathered in the nation's capital on June 24 to celebrate religious liberty and recall its importance in American life.<\/p>\n
\tCardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, D.C….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1031,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-396","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-us"],"yoast_head":"\n
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