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From June 21-July 4, our bishops have asked Catholics in the
United States to pray for the preservation of religious liberty both
here and throughout the world.
There is cause for rejoicing here. You
may for a time have to suffer the distress of many trials; but this
is so that your faith, which is more precious than the passing
splendor of fire-tried gold, may by its genuineness lead to praise,
glory, and honor when Jesus Christ appears. (1 Peter 1:3-9)
Almighty God, Father of all nations,
For freedom you have set us free in Christ Jesus.
We praise and bless you for the gift of religious liberty,
the foundation of human rights, justice, and the common good.
Grant to our leaders the wisdom to protect and promote our
liberties;
By your grace may we have the courage to defend them, for ourselves
and for all
those who live in this blessed land.
We ask this through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, our
patroness,
and in the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in the unity of
the Holy Spirit,
with whom you live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Religious Liberty at Risk:
Links for Further Reading
United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops (USCCB)
http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/fortnight-for-freedom/index.cfm
Includes videos and catechetical materials about threats to
religious liberty, here and around the world.
Notre Dame University
http://president.nd.edu/communications/a-message-from-father-jenkins-on-the-hhs-lawsuit/
Father Jenkins explains why Notre Dame joined the lawsuit opposing
the contraception mandate
Catholic Health Association
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/catholic-health-association-says-contraceptive-mandates-religious-protections-not#.T-JJUXBr2zc.email
An article on the Catholic Health Association’s concerns about the
contraceptive mandate, including links to the statement from the CHA
Commonweal
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/continuing-coverage-religious-liberty
The highly respected Catholic journal has extensive coverage on many
different aspects of the controversy
John Allen, Jr.
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/ecumenism-martyrs-and-remembering-giancarlo-zizola
Allen tells about Christian martyrs around the world, and about the
impetus their stories can give to the ecumenical movement
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/three-myths-about-church-give-lent
Allen debunks three myths about the Roman Catholic Church –
including the myth that the Church is the oppressor, not the
oppressed
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