Fortnight for Freedom

Hold firm, stand fast, and insist upon what belongs to you by right as Catholics.

At the request of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, all dioceses throughout our country will conduct a “Fortnight for Freedom,” beginning June 21 and concluding on July 4. The 14-day observance, which was first conducted in 2012, will focus on prayer, education and peaceful public action to protect our religious freedom with respect to the gift of life, marriage, conscience rights, as well as its application to immigration, adoption and health care and humanitarian concerns.

In observance of the Fortnight for Freedom, you are invited to join us for the celebration of Mass on Thursday, June 29, at 6:30 pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Raleigh. This Mass will be followed by a picnic, hosted by the Knights of Columbus, on the parish grounds.

During the Fortnight, the faithful are encouraged to pray for the intention of preserving and promoting religious freedom. Parishes and the faithful are also encouraged to dedicate the intention of preserving and promoting religious freedom to any of their regularly scheduled devotions, such as Holy Hours, the Holy Rosary, during the observance of the Fortnight.

The Fortnight begins on the vigil for the feast days of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher. Both More and Fisher were patriots. They never rose up to incite rebellion or foment revolution. But when the law of the king came into conflict with the law of Christ, they chose Christ. These men gave their lives for the freedom of the Church and for freedom of conscience. They bear witness to the truth that no government can make a claim on a person’s soul. 

Freedom for Mission

Let us take a few moments each day from June 21 - July 4 to pray, reflect, and take action on religious liberty, both here in this country and abroad.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has prepared ways to pray, reflect and take action on a different aspect of religious liberty for each day of the Fortnight.

How to Talk about Religious Freedom

In this time of increasing polarization in our culture, we can contribute to a better understanding of religious freedom in a way that respects all people.

This short guide (PDF) aims help Christians speak with friends and neighbors about religious freedom and work to clear up misconceptions about it.

Diocese of Raleigh Resources

Prayers of the Faithful (Word)

Bulletin insert texts (Word)

Bulletin insert flyers on Freedom for Mission:


USCCB Resources

Quotes from Pope Francis (PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions about Religious Liberty: English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)

Litany for Liberty (PDF)

Current threats to religious liberty: English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)

Holy Hour Template (PDF)

Why We Need a Health Care Conscience Rights Act: English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)

Our First, Most Cherished Liberty (PDF)

Why The Religious Freedom Restoration Act Works (PDF)

Homily of Archbishop William Lori, Chairman of Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Of Human Dignity: The Declaration on Religious Liberty at 50 by Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia


Videos

Watch A Call to Prayer from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.