Our Catholic bishops in American published “Our
First, Most Cherished Liberty,” a12-page statement by the Ad Hoc Committee
on Religious Liberty that sets out to explain what religious freedom means to a
Catholic and it also calls for “a fortnight for freedom” from June 21,
the vigil of the feasts of Saint John Fisher and Saint Thomas More, to July 4,
US Independence Day.
The matter of our freedom is not merely an activist mentality, but it is centrally located in our prayer life. AND that’s what we should do– pray. This is what the bishops propose:
We suggest that the
fourteen days from June 21–the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St.
Thomas More–to July 4, Independence Day, be dedicated to this “fortnight for
freedom”–a great hymn of prayer for our country. Our liturgical calendar celebrates
a series of great martyrs who remained faithful in the face of persecution by
political power–St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More, St. John the Baptist, SS.
Peter and Paul, and the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome. Culminating on
Independence Day, this special period of prayer, study, catechesis, and public
action would emphasize both our Christian and American heritage of liberty.
Dioceses and parishes around the country could choose a date in that period for
special events that would constitute a great national campaign of teaching and
witness for religious liberty.
fourteen days from June 21–the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St.
Thomas More–to July 4, Independence Day, be dedicated to this “fortnight for
freedom”–a great hymn of prayer for our country. Our liturgical calendar celebrates
a series of great martyrs who remained faithful in the face of persecution by
political power–St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More, St. John the Baptist, SS.
Peter and Paul, and the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome. Culminating on
Independence Day, this special period of prayer, study, catechesis, and public
action would emphasize both our Christian and American heritage of liberty.
Dioceses and parishes around the country could choose a date in that period for
special events that would constitute a great national campaign of teaching and
witness for religious liberty.
In addition to this summer’s observance, we also
urge that the Solemnity of Christ the King–a feast born out of resistance to
totalitarian incursions against religious liberty–be a day specifically
employed by bishops and priests to preach about religious liberty, both here
and abroad.
urge that the Solemnity of Christ the King–a feast born out of resistance to
totalitarian incursions against religious liberty–be a day specifically
employed by bishops and priests to preach about religious liberty, both here
and abroad.
And we pray….
Almighty God, Father of all nations,
For freedom you have set us
free in Christ Jesus (Gal 5:1).
free in Christ Jesus (Gal 5:1).
We praise and bless you for the gift of
religious liberty,
religious liberty,
the foundation of human rights, justice, and the common
good.
good.
Grant to our leaders the wisdom to protect and promote our liberties;
By
your grace may we have the courage to defend them,
your grace may we have the courage to defend them,
for ourselves and for all
those who live in this blessed land.
those who live in this blessed land.
We ask this through the intercession of Mary
Immaculate, our patroness, and in the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, with whom you live and reign, one God, for
ever and ever. Amen.
Immaculate, our patroness, and in the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, with whom you live and reign, one God, for
ever and ever. Amen.