In April, the Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a document, “Our First, Most Cherished Liberty,” outlining the bishops’ concerns over threats to religious freedom and explaining that religious liberty
is the first freedom because if we are not free in our conscience and our practice of religion, all other freedoms are fragile. If citizens are not free in their own consciences, how can they be free in relation to others, or to the state? If our obligations and duties to God are impeded, or even worse, contradicted by the government, then we can no longer claim to be a land of the free, and a beacon of hope for the world.
The U.S. Bishops also called for a “Fortnight for Freedom,” a 14-day period of prayer, education and action in support of
religious freedom, from June 21-July 4. The Diocese of Dallas is joining dioceses nationwide in events highlighting the
importance of defending our religious freedom. In addition to parish observances, two central events in Dallas are planned:
The evening will begin with the 5:30 p.m. Vigil Mass celebrated by Monsignor Robert Coerver, V.F., with homily on
religious liberty, followed by an educational program in Sweeney Hall, presented by Frank Valenzuela of the St. Thomas More Society, Catholic Lawyers’ Guild of the Diocese of Dallas, and closing with the Litany for Liberty (USCCB).
Fortnight for Freedom Diocesan Event in Spanish: June 24, Immaculate Conception, 610 N.E. 17th St, Grand Prairie
The afternoon will begin with the 2:30 p.m. Mass celebrated by Reverend Douglas Zavala, followed by an educational
program in the Cafeteria presented by Aurora Tinajero, Diocesan Coordinator of the Congreso Hispano de las Americas para Respeto a la Vida y Evangelización, and closing with the Litany for Liberty (USCCB).
Sponsored by the Diocese of Dallas
For more information on these and other “Fortnight” events in the Diocese of Dallas, visit www.dallascatholicadvocacy.org.
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Every year we reach out to help an average of at least one mother each day to choose life instead of abortion — 841 chose life in 2011!
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