Events

Parishes Planning Fortnight for Freedom Events (PDF)

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, 2013, and concluding on July 4, 2013. 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.

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge will begin the Fortnight in the Diocese of Raleigh with the celebration of Solemn Vespers on Sunday, June 23, 2013, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Raleigh, beginning at 4:00 PM. Vespers 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.

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? (A Statement on Religious Liberty – USCCB Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty) 

View Diocese of Raleigh Fortnight for Freedom Observance (PDF)

Read "Our First, Most Cherished Liberty"

Read USCCB Statements on Religious Freedom and HHS Mandate

Take action against HHS Mandate

Receive periodic Religious Freedom alerts: English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)

Prayer for Protection of Religious Liberty (PDF)