Conscience Rights / Religious Freedom

Protecting Conscience Rights and Religious Freedom: On March 1, the Blunt Amendment (Respect for Rights of Conscience Act), supported by the USCCB, was defeated in the U.S. Senate by a 51-48 vote.


FORTNIGHT FOR FREEDOM, June 21-July 4, 2012

Selected coverage of for the Fortnight for Freedom, June 24 to July 4, 2012:
TWO WEEKS OF ACTION: Catholic Bishops are calling for two weeks of public protest against President Barack Obama’s policies, particularly the administration’s contraception mandate. Dubbed “A Fortnight for Freedom”, it will be held between June 21 and July 4, 2012. The dates were picked to run from the feast day of martyrs St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More to Independence Day. “This special period of prayer, study, catechesis, and public action would emphasize both our Christian and American heritage of liberty,” the bishops said. “Religious liberty is not only about our ability to go to Mass on Sunday or pray the Rosary at home. It is about whether we can make our contribution to the common good of all Americans. Can we do the good works our faith calls us to do, without having to compromise that very same faith? What is at stake is whether America will continue to have a free, creative, and robust civil society–or whether the state alone will determine who gets to contribute to the common good, and how they get to do it.” This is not a matter of whether contraception may be prohibited by the government. It is not even a matter of whether contraception may be supported by the government. It is a matter of whether religious people and institutions may be forced by the government to provide coverage for contraception and sterilization, even when it violates our religious beliefs.

• After the Fortnight | (Español), Cardinal Wuerl's latest e-letter, ADW.org, July 9, 2012
• Photos from the Fortnight around the Country, USCCB.org
• VIDEO: Archbishop Charles Chaput -- Fortnight for Freedom Closing Mass Homily, Vimeo
• VIDEO (2 hrs.): Fortnight for Freedom Closing Mass - 2012-07-04 Washington DC, EWTN/YouTube, July 6, 2012
• Fortnight for Freedom Closing Mass Homily (also as PDF PDF) -Transcript of Archbishop Chaput’s homily, usccb.org, July 4, 2012
• Statement of Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington on Fortnight for Freedom, ADW.org, July 4, 2012
• Video: Baltimore Mass for Freedom Freedom, June 21, 2012 [in full] EWTN - YouTube
• Video: Holy Mass for Religious Freedom from St. Patricks, June 22, 2012 EWTN - YouTube
• List of Fortnight for Freedom/Religious Liberty Programming on EWTN
• Opening and closing Masses to be televised on EWTN, ewtn.com, June 13, 2012
• Calendar [July 4] - National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, nationalshrine.com
• Baltimore, Washington Liturgies to Bookend National Celebration of Fortnight for Freedom, USCCB.org, May 18, 2012
• Baltimore, Washington Liturgies To Bookend National Celebration Of Fortnight For Freedom, USCCB.org, May, 18 2012
• Archbishop Lori kicks-off Fortnight for Freedom with call to action, ewtn.com, June 22, 2012
• HHS Mandate, Religious Liberty and the Martyrs of Tyburn [transcript of Archbishop Lori's Homily], NCRegister.com, June 22, 2012
• FORTNIGHT FOR FREEDOM -- U.S. Catholics and Religious Liberty: The Origins, George Weigel, eppc.org, June 22, 2012
• More Related News (religiousliberties.org)

Archdiocese of Washington - Fortnight for Freedom, June 24, 2012:
• Videos: Fortnight for Freedom - A Celebration of Freedom
• 'You and I Are Responsible for This Moment' -Transcript of Archbishop Chaput’s homily| NCRegister.com, July 4, 2012
• At Fortnight closing Mass at National Shrine, overflow crowd prays for religious freedom, cathstan.org, July 5, 2012
• Record Crowd Closes Fortnight For Freedom At National Shrine In Washington, USCCB.org, July 5, 2012
• Fortnight for Freedom's Fitting Conclusion on Independence Day | NCRegister.com, July 4, 2012
• Local Catholics gather 'to stand up for what is right, to stand up for freedom of religion', cathstan.org, June 28, 2012
• Basilica To Host Closing Mass Of Fortnight for Freedom, USCCB.org, June 28, 2012
• Washington rally brings 2,000 together in support of religious freedom, CNS/catholicnews.com, June 27, 2012
• Catholic and American | Archdiocese of Washington, June 26, 2012
• DC religious freedom event stresses role of liberty in America, CNA/catholicnewsagency.com, June 25, 2012
• Celebration of Freedom, ADW.org, June 24, 2012
• Fortnight for Freedom - June 24, 2012 Event, Archdioces of Washington News Release, June 6, 2012
• People invited to stand together for religious freedom at June 24 Fortnight for Freedom event, CathStan.org, June 6, 2012


Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally - June 8, 2012
NATIONWIDE RALLY FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: On Fri., June 8, 2012, thousands of faithful citizens gathered in prayer and public witness in cities and towns nationwide to oppose the HHS mandate and stand up in defense of our religious freedom. For more, visit: www.StandUpRally.com.
 • Americans Stand Up for Religious Freedom on Bill of Rights’ Anniversary, NCRegister.com, June 8, 2012
• Second nationwide rally shows religious freedom movement has momentum, Catholic News Agency, June 8, 2012
• Americans Rally Nationwide, Demand Obama HHS Mandate Reversal, LifeNews.com, June 8, 2012
• Stand Up for Religious Freedom rally draws crowd to Capitol Hill park, CNS News Briefs, June 8, 2012
• Stand Up for Religious Freedom in Va. Beach - Thousands Gather Across USA, Catholic Online, June 10, 2012
• Religious freedom rally and the health care act (slide show), The Washington Post, June 8, 2012


Supreme Court Decision on Health Care Legislation
• Archbishop Lori: Religious Liberty Bid Unaffected By Supreme Court Ruling, EWTN/Catholic News Agency, July 5, 2012
• Supreme Court Upholds Health-Care Law, Stage Set for First Amendment Showdown | NCRegister.com, June 29, 2012
• Religious Liberty Takes Center Stage-Commentary | NCRegister.com, June 29, 2012
• What the Court Said About Obamacare | NCRegister.com. June 29, 2012
• Bishops urge Congress to fix health law flaws after high court decision, cathstan.org, June 28, 2012
• Bishops Renew Plea To Congress And Administration To Repair Affordable Care Act | USCCB.org, June 28, 2012
• Groups Vow to Continue Fighting for Religious Liberty as Supreme Court Upholds Affordable Care Act |
    CNA/NCRegister.com, June 28, 2012
• More to come: Lawsuits over HHS mandate keep health reform law in court, Catholic News Service, June 28, 2012


Other Religious Freedom News
• Archbishop Lori on Weapons for Defending Freedom (Part 2), EWTN/Zenit.org, July 4, 2012
• Archbishop Lori on Weapons for Defending Freedom (Part 1), EWTN/Zenit.org, July 3, 2012
• Perspectives on the 'First Freedom' | NCRegister.com, June 29, 2012
• Archbishop Lori Tells Rome Conference That Religious Freedom Must Be Defended | NCRegister.com, June 28, 2012
• PDF PDF -- Current-Threats-to-Religious-Liberty, USCCB Fact Sheet, Summer 2012
• Advisory Memo To Journalists, USCCB.org, June 27, 2012
• Learn More About Religious Liberty - Archdiocese of Washingon
• CHA urges expanded religious exemption, says government must pay, CNS/cathstan.org, June 16, 2012
• Catholic Health Association reverses course on mandate accommodation, catholicnewsagency.com, June 15, 2012
• Major media 'missed the boat' on coverage of HHS mandate lawsuits, analysts say, cathstan.org, June 15, 2012
• New Letter Opposes HHS Mandate's Distinctions for Religious Groups, NCRegister.com, June 13, 2012
• Maryland history frames fortnight for freedom, catholicreview.org, June 12, 2012
• Archbishop Lori Highlights Role Of Laity In Fortnight For Freedom, CNA/ewtn.com, June 12, 2012
• Editorial: "Religious freedom is not a partisan issue", cathstan.org, June 8, 2012
• CUA president pens columns about HHS mandate, CNS Blog, June 7, 2012
• At conference, faith leaders urge united effort defending religious freedom, cathStan.org, June 7, 2012
• Interfaith group urges that HHS mandate be changed to address religious freedom concerns, cathstan.org, June 7, 2012
• Religious freedom issues at heart of HHS lawsuits, legal scholars say, cathstan.org, June 5, 2012
• Public Comments Overwhelmingly Oppose HHS Mandate, NCRegister.com, June 3, 2012 • Cardinal Dolan Applauds Church Agencies As They Challenge HHS For Violating Religious Freedom, usccb.org, May 21, 2012
• Catholic University’s lawsuit against the federal government is a matter of religious liberty| washingtonpost.com, May 24, 2012
• Archdiocese of Washington Files Lawsuit Defending Religious Freedom | CathStan.org, May 22, 2012
• Archdiocese of Washington Files Lawsuit Defending Religious Freedom | ADW.org, May 21, 2012
• Let Freedom Ring! Archbishop Lori delivers address on the challenge to religious liberty|NCRegister.com, May 24, 2012
• Editorial- "Academic Freedom/Ecclesial Communion" | CathStan.org, May 23, 2012
• At installation, Baltimore's new archbishop emphasizes nation's heritage of religious liberty|CathStan.org, May 18, 2012
• United for Religious Freedom, Archdiocese of Washington, from our May 20, 2012, Parish Bulletin
• Editorial: "Disappointed But Not Surprised", Catholic Standard, May 10, 2012

Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally - March 23, 2012
Selected coverage of the March 23 Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally.
• Courthouses, statehouses sites for religious freedom rallies across U.S., cathstan.org, March 29, 2012
• Why we're standing up for religious freedom, washingtonpost.com, March 23, 2012
• PHOTOS: Tens of thousands decry HHS mandate in 146 nationwide protests, Lifesitenews.com, March 23, 2012
• Americans Rally for Religious Freedom, ncregister.com, March 23, 2012
• I Stood For Religious Freedom in Norfolk, Virginia: Freedom Movement in America, catholic.org, March 23, 2012
• Americans protest contraception coverage in health insurance mandate, msnbc.com, March 23, 2012
• Photo Slideshow: Rally Protests Federal Contraceptive Mandate, wbaltv.com, March 23, 2012
• Rally for Religious Freedom planned Friday in Bel Air will target controversial HHS mandates,
   baltimoresun.com, March 21, 2012


• Italian cardinal says US religious freedom debate a warning for Europe, cathstan.org, April 19, 2012
• Our First, Most Cherished Liberty: A Statement on Religious Liberty by the Ad Hoc Committee on Religious
   Liberty | en Español, USCCB.org, April 12, 2012
• Catholics urged to resist unjust laws, join in 'fortnight for freedom', cathstan.org, April 12, 2012
• HHS announces comment period on mandate accommodation, catholicnewsagency.com, March 16, 2012
• Religious Freedom and Protecting Healthcare for Women and Children, (Cardinal Dolan's Blog), March 16, 2012
• Catholic Bishops Call For Prayer For Religious Liberty, usccb.org, March 16, 2012
• Bishops Promise To Continue ‘Vigorous Efforts’ Against HHS Violations Of Religious Freedom In Health Care
   Reform Mandate, usccb.org, March 14, 2012
• Catholic bishops say fight against White House mandate a top priority, washingtonpost.com, March, 14, 2012
• Cardinal Dolan Voices Dismay at Handling by White House in Letter Updating Bishops on HHS Mandate  
   Controversy, USCCB.org, March 2, 2012
• State-Level Contraceptive Mandates Call for National Solution, National Catholic Register, Mar. 2, 2012
• Little Sisters of the Poor call for reversal of HHS mandate, Catholic Standard, March 2, 2012
• How Catholics Voted on the Blunt Amendment, National Catholic Register, Mar. 2, 2012
• USCCB says Senate vote 'impels the church to strengthen its resolve' on religious freedom, Catholic News Service,
   Mar. 1, 2012
• Church plans to redouble effort for law to protect religious conscience, Catholic News Service, Mar. 1, 2012
• HHS mandate presents problems of principle, practicality, bishop says, Catholic Standard, Feb. 29, 2012
• Bishop tells committee about 'absurd' effects of contraceptive mandate, Catholic News Service, Feb. 29, 2012
• States, women, senators join fight against HHS contraceptive mandate, Catholic News Service, Feb. 27, 2012
• Revised contraceptive mandate prompts reaction from Catholic groups, catholicnews.com, Feb. 16, 2012
• Cardinal urges Senate to pass bill protecting conscience in health care, catholicnews.com, Feb. 15, 2012
• HHS Mandate - Nothing Has Changed, e-Letter, Donald Cardinal Wuerl, adw.org, Feb. 13, 2012
• Obama's revised HHS mandate won't solve problems, USCCB president says, catholicnews.com, Feb. 13, 2012
• USCCB official: Revision in coverage still violates religious liberty, catholicnews.com, Feb. 13, 2012
• Cardinal Wuerl's " Statement on White House announcement on the HHS mandate," adw.org, Feb. 10, 2012
• Bishops Studying Initial White House Movement On Religious Liberty, usccb.org, Feb. 10, 2012.

• Bishops Renew Call To Legislative Action On Religious Liberty: Regulatory changes limited and unclear; Rescission of mandate only complete solution; Continue urging passage of Respect for Rights of Conscience Act, USCCB.org, Feb.10, 2012. To write your representatives, CLICK HERE.

• Resources and Background on HHS Rule and Contraceptive Coverage, USCCB- January 25, 2012 [Conscience Rights] | Statement of the Archdiocese of Washington on HHS Mandate Upheld by Obama Administration, Archdiocese of Washington, Jan. 19, 2012; U.S. Bishops Vow To Fight HHS Edict, USCCB, January 20, 2012.
• Related Cardinal Wuerl urges action to protect conscience rights [in health care], Catholic Standard, Dec. 22, 2011.
From the USCCB: Over 400 Catholic [now up to 434] leaders are calling on Congress and the Administration to protect conscience rights in health care. The open letter appeared as a full page ad PDF featuring over 150 of those leaders in the New York Times and the Washington Post on December 21.
For more, visit NCHLA Grassroots Action Center and Support Respect for Rights of Conscience Act - Action Alert.
Also, download the USCCB's HHS Mandate Bulletin Insert in English PDF or en Español PDF.

• Religious Freedom in Maryland: The Bishops of Maryland have written a statement on religious liberty which reviews the history and role of religious freedom in our society, highlights present-day threats to this freedom, and offers ways to get involved. A two-page summarized version is included in the Nov. 19/20 parish bulletin (click here to download a PDF copy PDF). The complete statement, The Most Sacred of All Property: Religious Freedom and the People of Maryland, is available at our parish and also in PDF form PDF from the Archdiocese and the Maryland Catholic Conference, or it may be downloaded directly here. Read Cardinal Wuerl's November 9, 2011 e-letter [PDF PDF] and watch his video on the First Freedom on YouTube.



Poverty:

• MARYLAND BISHOPS ISSUE STATEMENT ON POVERTY: Nearly 700,000 Maryland families receive food assistance through food stamps - more than the entire population of the city of Baltimore and more than 10,000 Marylanders are experiencing homelessness. Maryland’s bishops are urging Catholics to help their neighbors living in poverty. The statement coincides with U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ designation of January as Poverty in American Awareness Month. Help build a society more responsive to the needs of the poor and vulnerable. Learn more at www.mdcathcon.org. Contact your representavices: CLICK HERE.


Pro-life:

• Protecting Women: The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene drafted regulations that will do much to protect the health and safety of women undergoing abortions. Although we regret that abortion is legal and causes the deaths of more than a million unborn babies each year in America, it’s important that abortion clinics are regulated as surgical facilities. The draft regulations are open for comment for 30 days, which began Jan. 14, 2012. Visit: www.mdcathcon.org for more information.
UPDATE:
• Baltimore archbishop praises ruling in favor of pregnancy centers, Catholic News Agency, July 7, 2012
• Maryland to Issue Abortion Clinic Regulations, mdcathcon.org, June 22, 2012

More on our December 10, 2011 Mass, Rosary Procession, and Prayerful Protest with Cardinal Wuerl to Germantown Reproductive Health Services:
• At Mass for life and procession to abortion clinic, Cardinal encourages people to be witnesses for Jesus' life and love, Cathstan.org, December 12, 2011;
• Cardinal Wuerl Offers Words of Encouragement to Those Protecting the Unborn, ADW.org, December 10, 2011;
• Cardinal Wuerl Leads Vigil Outside LeRoy Carhart's Maryland Business, NCRegister.com, December 12, 2011;
• Prayerful protest marks one year since late-term abortion doctor arrived in Germantown, Cathstan.org, December 7, 2011;
• Read more on the Archdiocese of Washington Life Issues Facebook page.

 

Sanctity of Marriage:
Petition Drive to Preserve Marriage in Maryland
 • Bishops’ Committee For Defense Of Marriage Disappointed Over DOMA Ruling, usccb.org, June 1, 2012
• Petition drive to bring marriage law to referendum continues in Maryland, CathStan.org, May 4, 2012
• U.S. Bishops Applaud Approval Of North Carolina Marriage Amendment In Face Of President Obama’s
   Recent Comments, usccb.org, May 10, 2012
• Statement of the Archdiocese of Washington on President Obama’s Support of Same-Sex Marriage, adw.org,
   May 9, 2012
• Cardinal Dolan: President Obama's Remarks on Marriage 'Deeply Saddening', usccb.org, May 9, 2012• Maryland parishes conducting petition drives to bring marriage law to a referendum, cathstan.org, April 25, 2012
• Bishop Knestout's letter of March 23, 2012.
• States vs. Marriage, National Catholic Register, Feb. 27, 2012
• Referendum could dispute Maryland's new same-sex marriage law, National Catholic Reporter, Feb. 27, 2012
• Archdiocese, MCC decry Maryland Senate's vote to legalize same-sex marriage, Catholic Standard, Feb. 24, 2012
• Maryland Senate Votes to Redefine Marriage, adw.org, Feb. 23, 2012
• Maryland House Decides to Redefine Marriage, adw.org, Feb. 18, 2012


Other:
• Editorial- "Responding with love to a hate-filled ad", Catholic Standard, May 10, 2012


Locally:

• Priest who denied communion to lesbian no longer with DC archdiocese, Catholic News Agency, July 11, 2012
• Priest- removal from ministry was tied to communion incident (Fr. Marcel Guarnizo’s Response), catholicnewsagency.com, March 14, 2012
• Gaithersburg Priest Defends Decision To Deny Lesbian Communion, washingtonpost.com, March 14, 2012
• Incident at St. John Neumann spurs reflection on significance of Holy Communion, Catholic Standard, Feb. 29, 2012
• Editorial- "Honoring the Communion Line", Catholic Standard, Mar. 1, 2012