Catholic Bishops Call For Prayer For Religious Liberty

The Administrative Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), at its recent meeting in Washington, called for a nationwide prayer campaign for protection of religious freedom and conscience rights from several threats, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services mandate that forces employers, including religious ones, to provide contraception/sterilization in their health plans.

“We call upon the Catholic faithful, and all people of faith, throughout our country to join us in prayer and penance for our leaders and for the restoration of our First Freedom - religious liberty - which is not only protected in the laws and customs of our great Nation, but rooted in the teachings of our great Tradition,” the bishops said in “United for Religious Freedom” a statement issued on 14 March. “Prayer is the ultimate source of our strength - for without God, we can do nothing; but with God, all things are possible.”

To support the effort, the USCCB has posted prayer resources at http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/conscience-protection/resources-on-conscience-protection.cfm.

The full text of “United for Religious Freedom,” prayer campaign resources, and related information on religious liberty and conscience rights, may be accessed at http://www.usccb.org/conscience.