A Time For Prayer And Solidarity

On June 20, a dedicated group of Catholics from around the Diocese of Evansville gathered at St. Benedict Cathedral to celebrate Mass, and to kick-off  the second annual Fortnight for Freedom.

This the second year that the U.S. bishops have called for a Fortnight for Freedom, a two-week period of prayer and action designed to address many current challenges to religious liberty, including the upcoming August 1 deadline for religious organizations to comply with the HHS mandate, the anticipated U.S. Supreme Court rulings that may redefine marriage, and religious liberty concerns in areas such as immigration and humanitarian services.

In his homily Bishop Charles C. Thompson said, "We kick off our second annual Fortnight for Freedom, continuing to ground the principals of justice in truth and charity. To this end, we must be first and foremost committed to a life of prayer."

The bishop said, "We join in prayer and solidarity for the dignity of life, the safeguarding of marriage and family, and the right of religious liberty."

Promoting the dignity of the human person, in defense of the sacredness of life, is one of the key principles of Catholic social teaching, he said. Such promotion and defense remain inherent to the very fabric of the Church's mission.

Complimentary to this focus is another key principle of the Church's social teaching, namely, "the call to family, community and participation. Intricate to this particular principal is the sacred institution of marriage, which in accordance with the divine plan as noted in Sacred Scripture, is defined as being between a man and a woman. The health and wellbeing of the family, often referred to as the 'domestic church' is essential to the very fabric of stable living."

In his homily, the bishop noted that "we must never forget that law was created for humanity and not vice-versa," adding "all ministries and services of the Church are motivated by love of God and neighbor, with preferential option for the poor in the safeguarding of dignity and life of every human being."

"We must stand firm against any and all unjust opposition to anything that might compromise our notion of faithful discipleship, including citizenship, and the nature of the Church.

"This is true freedom. Indeed, we boast of our demand for such freedom, dignity, goods of marriage and family, and sacredness of life."

Bishop Thompson said he hopes the Fortnight for Freedom will lead to an increase in awareness about the issues the Catholic Church raises and that the Church’s concerns receive a resolution on which all interested parties agree.

Bishop Thompson suggests that “Catholics can get involved by participation in the Fortnight for Freedom opportunities for prayer and various activities, writing to government representatives, reading and studying the facts.”

For Dominic Faraone, the Family Life/Respect Life Coordinator at Catholic Charities, the Fortnight for Freedom provides an opportunity to show sensitivity not just for religious freedom in the U.S., but internationally as well.

“Catholic teaching affirms that the right to religious freedom is rooted in the dignity of the human person; all people, by virtue of the fact that we are created as a unity of body and soul in the image and likeness of God, have dignity and merit religious freedom.

“In respect to Christian brothers and sisters, we should express solidarity with the many in other countries who endure violent attacks against their churches and homes, are effectively deprived of fundamental legal and civil rights, suffer daily affronts and often live in fear, or are painfully compelled against their will to migrate from the land of their birth.”

For more information and resources about the Fortnight for Freedom, visit www.Fortnight4Freedom.org.