Religious Liberty – Fortnight of Freedom
Dear Brother Knights, Family Members, and Honored Clergy,
The Fortnight of Freedom – the program initiated by our bishops to assist us in reminding ourselves and others all throughout the United States about the importance of preserving the fundamental right of religious freedom – has come to pass, however our struggle continues for the protection of this important right.
Encouragement From Our Church Leaders
The preservation of liberty can only be accomplished by constant vigilance and steadfast action when these rights are threatened. Here are remarks made by our church leaders in the context of the Fortnight of Freedom:
“Religious freedom includes the freedom of the individuals to act in accord with their faith but also the freedom of church institutions to act in according with their teachings and to serve as a buffer between the power of the state and the freedom of the individual conscience. If we fail to defend the fights of individuals, the freedom of institutions will be at risk and if we fail to defend the fights of our institutions, individual liberty will be at risk.” – Knights of Columbus Supreme Chaplain – Most Reverend William E. Lori – Archbishop of Baltimore (Homily opening Mass Fortnight of Freedom.)
“God’s words in today’s first reading are a caution we ignore at our own expense. ‘Son of man’, God says to Ezekiel and to all of us, ‘I have appointed you as a sentinel. If I say to the wicked, ‘you will surely die’ – and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them… I will hold you responsible for their blood.’ …. We live in a time that calls for sentinels and public witness. Every Christian in every era faces the same task. But you and I are responsible for this moment. Today. Now.” – Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M Cap Archbishop of Philadelphia (Homily closing Mass Fortnight of Freedom.)
“Freedom is not only a fight, but a summons to personal responsibility… it is a challenge held out to each generation, and it must constantly be won over for the cause.” – Pope Benedict XVI (from his message to Archbishop Donald Cardinal Wuerl – Archbishop of Washington DC on the occasion of the closing ceremonies of the Fortnight of Freedom.)
The “War On Women”
There are several misrepresentations being circulated about by the mainstream media regarding the church’s stance on the HHS Mandate. One of this is the so called War On Women. During a Fortnight Of Freedom Forum held in Boston, Massachusetts, Angela Franks, PhD Theological Institute For The New Evangelization made this comment:
“One of the myths perpetuated by this HHS Mandate is that this is a War On Women. Somehow the church is anti-women for opposing this mandate. It offends me as a woman that Nancy Pelosi, the President, Kathleen Sebelius, the so called National Organization for Women, and Planned Parenthood claim to speak for women and assume that we all agree to the bizarre proposition that free contraception and abortion equals women’s equality.”
A great initiative in response to this is the web site http://womenspeakforthemselves.com/. Here tens of thousands of women have added their voice to say that these groups do not speak for them. I would encourage a visit to this site by the lady in your household. This web site also provides straightforward, non-partisan talking points to assist in the discussion of this specific aspect in the public square.
I would like to encourage all my brother knights to continue our efforts and to action indicated above. Future generations of our children and grand-children will be looking to us to provide them with an environment that continues to promote this important liberty. Please visit our Religious Freedom resource page for more information.
Vivat Jesus!
Sebastian Mauricio
(Topic for Next Month: What’s Next If This Battle Is Lost?)