Catholic Action: Fortnight (14 Days) of Prayer for Freedom Begins in United States

6/23/2012

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simply look at the way in which some Catholics approach political participation. Catholic Social teaching offers us principles for action. It is meant to be received with a mature faith, one which embraces the call to form our consciences. It is then meant to reform our way of life, including our political participation.

The Bishops Fortnight for Freedom is an example of the hierarchy calling the faithful to Catholic Action and then properly equipping them for the task. The resources offered by the Bishops concerning the teaching of the Catholic Church concerning religious liberty - as well as the explanation of the Right as secured within the founding documents of the American experiment- prepare the faithful for the necessary defense which must be taken in the public square in this time of great need when the Right is threatened.

Make no mistake, the threat to Religious Freedom and the mission of the Church in the United States is real and substantial. The Bishops see it and are acting properly and courageously. On Monday, May 21, 2012, a 62 page Federal Court Complaint was filed by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York and other Catholic institutions, Dioceses and organizations. The legal action has already made US Church history and the results shape Church State/ Constitutional Law for years to come.

It was one of twelve lawsuits filed against the Federal Government of the United States. The Twelve Lawsuits were coordinated by the prestigious power house law firm of Jones Day and strategically filed throughout the United States. The complaints represent 43 dioceses, hospitals, schools and church agencies. They seek declaratory and injunctive relief. They also demand a jury trial.

The introductory paragraph of the complaint filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, summarized the fundamental legal issue, "This lawsuit is about one of America's most cherished freedoms: the freedom to practice one's religion without government interference. It is not about whether people have a right to abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization, and contraception. Those services are freely available in the United States, and nothing prevents the Government itself from making them more widely available."

"Here, however, the Government seeks to require Plaintiffs-all Catholic entities-to violate their sincerely held religious beliefs by providing, paying for, and/or facilitating access to those products and services. American history and tradition, embodied in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act ("RFRA"), safeguard religious entities from such overbearing and oppressive governmental action. Plaintiffs therefore seek relief in this Court to protect this most fundamental of American rights."

The complaints allege violations of the First Amendments' Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses as well as violations of the Religious Freedom and Restoration Act and the Administrative procedures Act. They asked the Courts for what is called a Declaratory Judgment. In effect, the Plaintiffs ask the Federal Courts to declare that the questionable provisions of the Affordable Care Act and the HHS Mandate are unconstitutional and then to enjoin or prohibit the Government from enforcing those provisions of the Law and the regulations. They further ask for Attorneys fees and costs.

I believe these lawsuits will be successful. The actions of this Administration are unconstitutional. Though the pending US Supreme Court opinion concerning the constitutionality of the individual mandate at the heart of the Affordable Care Act may make these lawsuits moot, it will not stop the growing movement which they reflect; a movement for a New Catholic Action.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, , said of the lawsuits, "We have tried negotiation with the Administration and legislation with the Congress - and we'll keep at it - but there's still no fix. Time is running out, and our valuable ministries and fundamental rights hang in the balance, so we have to resort to the courts now."

"Though the Conference is not a party to the lawsuits, we applaud this courageous action by so many individual dioceses, charities, hospitals and schools across the nation, in coordination with the law firm of Jones Day. It is also a compelling display of the unity of the Church in defense of religious liberty."

"It's also a great show of the diversity of the Church's ministries that serve the common good and that are jeopardized by the mandate - ministries to the poor, the sick, and the uneducated, to people of any faith or no faith at all."

The HHS action has prompted a tide of resistance and a movement of solidarity which is strengthening the Catholic Church in America. She is rising up like a sleeping giant and being strengthened in adversity. Her response is also inspiring other Christians, other people of faith and all people of good will to defend America's First Freedom, religious freedom. This is one more example of how God, in His infinite mercy and love, can pull good even out of what it was intended.

The HHS Mandate came one day after Pope Benedict XVI addressed a group of US Bishops during their visit. He warned them of the growth of radical secularism in the United States and the accompanying threats to the fundamental Right to Religious Freedom so integral to the American experiment. His warning was timely, even prophetic.

We urge all of our readers in the United States and around the world to enter into the Fortnight for Freedom with all of your heart, mind, strength and soul. We will keep you up to date as the period of prayer, study, catechesis and public action progresses.

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Fortnight, Religious Freedom, Free Exercise, First freedom, US Bishops, Social Doctrine, Deacon Keith Fournier

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1 - 10 of 22 Comments

Val
10 months ago
I have been trying to find a video of Archbishop Lori's magnificent sermon opening the Fortnight for Freedom; I would like to link to it on social media, and also send it to Catholic family and friends who may not be aware of how critically important this issue is.

EWTN posted a video of the entire Mass on their YouTube channel, but I am looking for a video of just Archbishop Lori's sermon. I found one video on YouTube, but unfortunately the audio is poor. Does anyone know of others?
miguel
10 months ago
It is a shame that after having the vatican II documents in our hand; today, we are trying to fight for religious freedom or expression.
gclaheh11
11 months ago
I am not sure if I totally understand this, but I will be one of those Catholics who will be praying the fortnight. I am not sure what exactly I am supposed to pray for. President Obama to not get reelected? I know that liberalism is dying, but their leaders are still in power; I think that they are making their last hurrah and then will never be reelected. Look at Europe-those liberals who voted for all of those social programs and couldn't pay for them are now gone. The same thing will happen to the USA, it is only a matter of time.
Theresa H
11 months ago
I hope this is not "too little, too late...." Over-reaching government mandates in matters of morality have been going on for years, at least all the way back to Roe v. Wade and a secularized, hedonistic culture has "lulled" Catholics to sleep along with the masses for years....The fact that we have "lived with" a federal law that says it is okay to contracept a child in the womb with pills legally sold and bought, and throw an unwanted, newborn "mistake" in the garbage sums it all up! While our Popes have spoken up frequently, only here and there, now and then, does the Teaching get to the local parishes--even when the USCCB issues a document! As for the Catechism of the Catholic Church, if what I see around here is the unspoken norm, I would wager that, in most parishes, little to nothing is said from the pulpit on the magisterial Teaching re. matters of faith and morals--and comparatively few Catholics are interested, anyway. We are way to busy, caught-up in the activities of this world. And besides, don't you know: "ignorance is bliss!" How many Catholics do you think are now praying the "Fortnight for the Protection of Religious Liberty Prayer" daily? I hope I am mistaken and God will have mercy on us all and deliver us from this newest government mandate.
Bill Sr.
11 months ago
Thank you Alexius Comnenus! The bishops simply can not and will not hint as to WHO to vote for because the loony liberals wanting to compassionately take the place of God in out lives and have us place our faith in them would joyfully pounce on it as a breach of separation and all h… would break out. But you as a local priest or pastor are considered insignificant enough to be ignored. Lots of us are with you. The poor Catholic souls who listened to the likes of Doug Kmiec in 2008 or were shamed into believing they were racists if they voted for McCain should be in mourning and hopefully have ask for forgiveness. Keep standing for Christ and voicing the truth. Peace and God Bless.
John P. O'Neill
11 months ago
This video is important to see. Cardinal George's comment is chilling.
ManOfGod
11 months ago
Excellent article and very clear explaining our role as catholics, but if you think this is just partisan politics, you are missing the fundamental issue here. Mexico, 1924, the catholic uprising that took place when the mexican government started with "mandates" that evolved into a total persecution of the Catholic Church and NOT against a political party. True catholics regardless of political affiliation will not stand silent, we will stand by our Church and our Bishops. If you want to believe it's all politics step aside and let the true and faithful catholics defend our freedom. VIVA CRISTO REY !
Jeannie
11 months ago
The fact that anyone can still see this as having anything to do with politics shows why the very young get it and why those over their late 20s all too often do not.
Until 60 years ago, when the state and government intruded into our public education, making a national board of education, it was understood that though no faith would be imposed it would be respected. THere is a false argument that organized religion is NOT atheism or environmentalism or secularism. It is and what is more it is imposed AND, unlike Christianity, which has never imposed itself on people, these religions do not offer voice to others but want to silence it to just the homes. Environmentalism, atheism and secularism are hugely offensive and impose on our rights all the time, but having been taught in secular education, all those indoctrinated see Christianity through the same filter of intolerance as those of the secular educational system that taught them. There is nothing partisan about freedom and anyone who has not been taught about the fundamental connection between this nation and Christianity, not imposed but chosen by incredibly passionate and learned people at our nation's start, need this fortnight for freedom more than ever.
Mike
11 months ago
Edju, should we never stand up for our core beliefs and freedoms just because some people in politics want to take them away? The Church doesn't teach that we, as catholics, can't be involved in the political arena, especially when it threatens our very rights and feedoms. Should we just be pushovers to those that want us to violate our conscience? I don't think so. The Church aren't the ones forcing their beliefs on others; we are the ones who are being forced to go against our beliefs. How is that a right wing agenda? That is an agenda to protect our beliefs and freedoms.

Many of these bishops probably aren't even very conservative, let alone "right wing" citizens.

Its a good thing that more and more Catholics are starting to understand this isn't about a political agenda, but about the first right this country ever saw - the right to freedom of religion.
Roxas
11 months ago
This is not some kind of sneaky political move, this is about protecting one of the country's greatest foundations, freedom of religion. I find it quite odd that everyone is complaining about the bishops doing this so close to an election, yet no one comments on how Obama buttered up to the homosexual demographic just a month ago!

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