Bishops Urge Catholics To Pray For Life, Marriage, Religious Liberty. Call for Second Fortnight for Freedom

By USCCB
12/8/2012
USCC Office of Media Relations (www.usccb.org)

Campaign components include monthly Eucharistic holy hours in cathedrals and parishes, daily family rosary, special Prayers of the Faithful at all Masses, fasting and abstinence on Fridays, and the second observance of a Fortnight for Freedom

With the challenges this country is facing, it is hoped that this call to prayer and penance will help build awareness among the faithful as well as spiritual stamina and courage for effective witness. We also hope that it will encourage solidarity with all people who are standing for the precious gifts of life, marriage, and religious liberty. (Archbishop Cordileone)

Archbishop Cordileone speaking at the Fortnight for Freedom

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WASHINGTON, DC (USCCB) - The U.S. Catholic bishops have launched a pastoral strategy addressing critical life, marriage and religious liberty concerns. The five-part strategy or call to prayer was approved by the bishops in November and is set to begin after Christmas. The overall focus is to invite Catholics to pray for rebuilding a culture favorable to life and marriage and for increased protections of religious liberty.

The call to prayer is prompted by the rapid social movements and policy changes currently underway, such as the mandate by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that coerces employers, including heads of religious agencies, to pay for sterilizations, abortion-inducing drugs and contraceptives, as well as increased efforts to redefine marriage.

"The pastoral strategy is essentially a call and encouragement to prayer and sacrifice-it's meant to be simple," said Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco, chairman of the bishops' Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage. "It's not meant to be another program but rather part of a movement for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty, which engages the New Evangelization and can be incorporated into the Year of Faith. Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty are not only foundational to Catholic social teaching but also fundamental to the good of society," he said.

Details of the strategy follow:

1.Starting with the Sunday after Christmas (Feast of the Holy Family) and continuing on or near the last Sunday of every month through Christ the King Sunday, November 2013, cathedrals and parishes are encouraged to hold a Eucharistic Holy Hour for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty.

2.Families and individuals are encouraged to pray a daily Rosary, especially for the preservation of Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty in the nation.

3.At Sunday and daily Masses, it is encouraged that the Prayers of the Faithful include specific intentions for respect for all human life from conception to natural death, the strengthening of marriage and family life, and the preservation of religious libertyat all levels of government, both at home and abroad.

4.Abstinence from meat and fasting on Fridays are encouraged for the intention of the protection of Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty, recognizing the importance of spiritual and bodily sacrifice in the life of the Church.

5.The celebration of a second Fortnight for Freedom at the end of June and the beginning of July 2013 is being planned. This Fortnight would emphasize faith and marriage in a particular way in the face of the potential Supreme Court rulings during this time. The Fortnight would also emphasize the need for conscience protection in light of the August 1, 2013 deadline for religious organizations to comply with the HHS mandate, as well as religious freedom concerns in other areas, such as immigration, adoption, and humanitarian services.

A website with resources from the USCCB is available here.

"With the challenges this country is facing, it is hoped that this call to prayer and penance will help build awareness among the faithful as well as spiritual stamina and courage for effective witness. We also hope that it will encourage solidarity with all people who are standing for the precious gifts of life, marriage, and religious liberty," Archbishop Cordileone said.

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1 - 7 of 7 Comments

Tammy
5 months ago
Its all in God's plan, He did not spare his dearly beloved son, He himself became man so that mankind would be saved. Everything is in God's plan, and just like how Jesus suffered and died on the cross, so too will the Catholic Church, it will be put be put to shame and crucified and put to dead, and only the devout and faithful will that continues to believe in the God's love and mercy and kindness will live, even after they are dead. So my dear brothers and sister's in Christ, we must prepare ourselfs in prayer to endure great hardships, and yes we must be the voice of the Holy Spirit, submit to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. If we truly care about his church, now is the time to give up all worldly pleasure and commit ourselves to pray and sacrifice, for this world and holiness does not mix. If you are of the world be of the world, if you are of Kingdom of Righteaous then be prepared to go all the way.
God Bless all the devout and the faithful.
vance
5 months ago
I am happy to hear that more Bishops are now coming alive to lead their faithful. I don't know if I should hold my breath waiting for my dioceses Bishop and clergy to respond to this USCCB call. We will see.
Emma
5 months ago
This is something that both myself and peers have been waiting for: direction and leadership. Our parish is large and not "gray " with many classes, retreats, and programs, yet with such a large, diverse group, many are involved in one aspect or another and veer off in different directions. Many desire to be more active but don't know what exactly to do. In order to form and maintain a strong cohesive group, a strong leader is required. We did participate in last year's Fortnight for Freedom and I'm hopeful that the more advanced notice this time around will result in a larger turn out now that time is available to better organize and spread the news. If for some reason I don't hear this from the pulpit, I intend to respectfully ask why. The only thing I and my husband, along with a few others, intend to do differently during this period is pray the Rosary one day a week in Caesar Chavez Park across from our state capitol. I think it's important that we spend some time out in the community and not confine ourselves to only our homes and churches. We also need to continue to pray for our priests and bishops! They need our prayers and support. Now is not the time to point fingers, now is the time to stand united in Christ!
Tom McGuire
5 months ago
What about the destruction of families caused by the Walmart's of the world? In the United States purchase of cheap goods comes at the expense of those who make those goods. (112 workers killed in a Bangladesh factory fire.) Is this not a right to life issue? Is this not something Bishops should speak out about and seek response from faithful Catholics not as a political power broker but as a call to respond to the needs of the poor?
abey
5 months ago
In other words know the truth of Liberalism hidden in the word secularism that is become against the Life, the Marriage & the Faith unto its expressions & as stated "The truth shall make you free", which is to Christ Jesus in Spirit & Body.
Mathew Thankachen O.Praem
5 months ago
Congrats to USCCB for exhorting the faithful in the parish to " equip with spiritual weapons" to fight against the satanic forces threatening the Nation. when the apostoles complain they can't drive out the demon, Jesus replies that it is possible only with " prayer and fasting". If we ever strengthen our faithful spiritually, whatever be the temptations and atmosphere prevailing socially and politically, they will not fall a victim. Eve if if ' abortion or LGBT' is legal, the catholic will think twice before going for it, for they know a " law written in their heart" that forbid from doing so, and the approach is quite relevant in this year of " faith and Mission". First let us as Church empower ourselves before we preach to purify others seems the best approach. Besides prayer and fasting, the social and moral issues are to become a point of reflection and debate in our Sunday sermons and among the youth in the college/ university level, nevertheless blaming any political parties and thereby enable the youth in their autonomous decision making process towards " good and evil" . Thus, awareness can lead to discretion, right choice making in the realm of personal, moral and political and the hierarchy has this duty as part of the " teaching and purifying" mission,
Mathew Thankachen O.Praem
Frank
5 months ago
We can only pray that "Bishops" mean more than the one or two that actually participated in the "Fortnight" last time. I work and live in two separate dioceses. One made a half-hearted attempt by at least publishing a prayer card (used only once then it disappeared along with any mention of the effort). The other one, in the National Capitol Area, never mentioned the effort (unless on the back door of the Bishop's office or its equivalent). Both dioceses, with sizable Catholic populations, voted overwhemingly for candidates openly supporting "pro-choice" and restricting the liberty of Catholics and their institutions vis a vis Obamacare. In one diocese a winning candidate was openly a "pro-choice Catholic". Somehow (sardonically) I suspect a repeat performance, something that is just incredible to me! A thought ... the "Bishops" had better get the "pastors" involved and committed or this "Fortnight" will be even less effective (if possible) than the last.

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