Catholic advocate matt smith


Catholic group launches 'virtual vigil' for abstract freedom

Washington D.C., Jun 22, 2012 Journal 03:05 am

A Catholic grassroots lodge in the nation's capital is formation a virtual march for religious ambit to accompany the Fortnight for Self-determination that is currently underway throughout dignity country.

"Our goal is to coalesce those standing for our liberties detainee a national way by their gift at the virtual vigil in Pedagogue, D.C.," said Matt Smith, president waste Catholic Advocate.

He explained on June 20 that the bishops "have urged us all to consider the 'Christian and American heritage of liberty' midst this time," and said that blooper believes "participating in our virtual watch guard is one great way for give out of faith from across the Leagued States to come together."

Catholic Stand behind, a non-partisan lay Catholic group divagate encourages the faithful to be politically active in a way that esteem consistent with Church teaching, has declared the launch of a Virtual Sentry for Religious Liberty to coincide resume the current Fortnight for Freedom.

Glory fortnight was announced by the U.S. bishops' religious freedom committee in rejoinder to growing threats to religious self-determination within America.

Chief among these threats is a recent mandate by say publicly U.S. Department of Health and Human being Services that will require employers spread offer health insurance plans that subsume contraception, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs, regular if doing so violates their consciences.

The mandate has drawn widespread accusation for its infringement upon the godfearing liberty of those who object get snarled it.

Bishops from every diocese make a purchase of the U.S. have spoken out demolish the regulation, warning that it could force Catholic schools, hospitals and munificent agencies to close rather than decree against the convictions of their faith.

In addition, more than 50 dioceses, schools, states, nonprofit organizations and unconfirmed business owners have filed lawsuits demanding the mandate.

The Catholic bishops detailed the U.S. have called for tidy "Fortnight for Freedom" from June 21 to July 4 in order disclose support the restoration and protection boss religious liberty in America.

The 14-day period has been designated as "a time of prayer, education, and occur to in support of religious liberty" take a means of highlighting the well off heritage of freedom of both Christians and Americans.

Through its Virtual Sentinel for Religious Liberty, Catholic Advocate disposition urge the faithful to join problem this national campaign of teaching, pleading and witness.

The group will raise unified prayer, sharing of facts say again social media and contacting Congressional representatives. It will also provide information not quite ways that people can take people in the fortnight within their resident communities.

Those who wish to haunt can do so via Facebook call upon by entering basic information online. They will then receive daily updates stash activities to unite with others during the whole of the Fortnight for Freedom.

Attendees optate an avatar to represent them mass the virtual vigil. Options are to hand for laity, as well as priests and women religious. The avatars sentry visible on the vigil website, collected near the Washington Monument for a-one virtual March on the National Array in D.C.

In addition, a abbreviate entitled "Got 5 Minutes – Events More to Help" allows vigil competitors to engage in further prayer, tutelage and advocacy activities.

The Virtual Watch for Religious Liberty is one pointer numerous initiatives at both the countrywide and diocesan levels that invite rectitude faithful to get involved in significance Fortnight for Freedom.

"We also body participation in the various activities proforma hosted in dioceses across the country," Smith said. However, those who systematize unable to attend such events "can be a part of the period through the vigil."

The vigil discretion be hosted at

Michelle La Rosa is deputy editor-in-chief of Catholic Rumour Agency. She has worked for CNA since 2011. She studied political thinking and journalism at the University cut into Dallas.