Fortnight For Freedom 2013

It's so important that, as Catholics, we remain engaged in the public square and do our part to promote the Gospel outside of our parishes and families. This doesn't mean forcing our beliefs on others; it means letting our gospel-informed voices be heard and it means promoting the principles of human dignity that the gospels teach us.

That's why the U.S. bishops have called a second Fortnight for Freedom. In addition to the August 1st deadline for Catholic organizations to comply with the HHS mandate, we also await a Supreme Court ruling on marriage this June, and meaningful immigration reform as well as humanitarian services. These are all areas in which Catholics have a stake and about which Catholics must make their positions known. Starting on June 21st, the bishops are calling for Catholics to participate in a two week period of prayer and action to build awareness about potential religious freedom violations and the right place of religion in the public square.

Throughout these two weeks, CatholicTV will have special programming for the Fortnight for Freedom, including the Opening Mass on 6/21 LIVE at 7pm ET (watch on www.CatholicTV.com), daily reflections from Father Reed, following the 3pm Divine Mercy Chaplet, and the Closing Mass on Independence Day at 12pm ET.

Last year we held a town hall forum hosted by Cardinal Seán O'Malley, with a panel comprising Kim Daniels, JD, a religious liberty attorney, Dr. Angela Franks, co-host of Christian Witness, and John Garvey, JD, President of The Catholic University of America. Most of the concerns raised and questions asked last year are still relevant. You can watch the whole thing right here:

The CatholicTV® Network to Air Special Coverage During Fortnight for Freedom

The US Bishops have called for “Fortnight for Freedom,” a 14-day period of prayer, education and action in support of religious freedom, from June 21-July 4. The bishops of the United States have recommended that Catholics focus "all the energies the Catholic community can muster" to heightening people’s awareness of the most cherished liberty: Religious Freedom.

The fourteen days from June 21—the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More—to July 4, Independence Day, are dedicated to this “Fortnight for Freedom”. Culminating on Independence Day, this special period of prayer, study, catechesis, and public action emphasizes Christian and American heritage of liberty.

The CatholicTV® Network will participate in the Fortnight for Freedom with special programming from June 21 to July 4, to rally support for the protection of religious freedom in the United States.

Throughout the two week period called for by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Father Robert Reed, president of CatholicTV will offer a daily reflection on the theme of religious freedom in a series of Blinks.

In support of this call to action the CatholicTV® Network has arranged a special hour-long discussion with Cardinal Seán O’Malley and a group of young Catholics in a live forum on the evening of Monday, June 25, 2012 from 8-9PM ET. The event will include a discussion panel, and will be moderated by ClearVoice's John Monahan.

CatholicTV President, Father Robert P. Reed, commented on the Fortnight:

This summer, the bishops of the United States have recommended that we focus "all the energies the Catholic community can muster" to heightening people’s awareness of our most cherished liberty: Religious Freedom. When our freedoms are threatened, we need to speak frankly and with courage and now is such a time... As American citizens, we need to be on guard, for religious liberty is under attack. Join us here on The CatholicTV Network between June 21 and the 4th of July as we celebrate Religious Liberty and pray urgently for a new birth of freedom in our beloved country.

Coverage will be available on CatholicTV and CatholicTV.com. Comments and questions will be addressed LIVE during the event on CatholicTV’s Facebook. Viewers can also join the conversation by tweeting @CatholicTV (#fortnight4freedom). The event will also be simulcast on Relevant Radio across the US and on WQOM in Boston, MA.