Office for Social Concerns
Catholic Diocese of Columbus

U.S. Bishops Decry HHS Rule
Urge Catholics to Stand Up for Religious Liberty

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reaffirmed a rule that virtually all private health care plans must cover sterilization, abortifacients, and contraception. The rule took effect on August 1, 2012. Non-profit religious employers that do not now provide such coverage, and are not exempt under the rule’s extremely narrow definition of religious employer, will be given one year—until August 1, 2013—to comply. The Administration's "accommodation" still forces objecting organizations and individuals to pay for "services" that violate their religious convictions.

In addition to the HHS mandate, the U.S. bishops have also recognized that religious liberty is being threatened in other areas such as state immigration laws and attempts to alter Church structure and governance at home and abroad.

The bishops called for a Fortnight for Freedom for June 21 to July 4.  (See below.)

Letters by Bishop Frederick F. Campbell

June 2013 Letter on Fortnight for Freedom,
click here.

May 2012 Letter on Religious Liberty,
click here.

January 2012 Letter Regarding HHS Rule
English | Spanish


U.S. Bishops' Websites

U.S. Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Religious Liberty website,
click here.

Our First, Most Cherished Liberty: A Statement on Religious Liberty by the Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, USCCB,
click here.

First American Freedom website (USCCB),
click here.

USCCB Text Message Campaign,
click here.


Prayer

Worship Aids - Fortnight for Freedom - By Diocesan Office of Divine Worship,
click here.

Religious Liberty/Conscience Protection Prayers,
click here.

Litany for Liberty,
click here.

Prayers of the Faithful,
click here.

USCCB Holy Hour Template (also part of Call to Prayer),
click here.

Fortnight for Freedom Opening Mass, Friday, June 21, 2013, 12 noon
St. Joseph Cathedral, 212 E. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio
Celebrated by Bishop Frederick F. Campbell
For flyer, click here.


Eduation

Frequently Asked Questions about Religious Liberty,
click here.

Bulletin Inserts,
click here.

14 Day Study Guide on Dignitatis Humanae,
click here.

Fortnight for Freedom Fact Sheets:  A series of examples of current threats to religious liberty in the U.S. (including examples in the areas of marriage, immigration, and humanitarian services),
click here.
 
Twelve Things Everyone Should About the "Contraceptive Mandate",
click here.


Advocacy

Send a Message to Congress:  Protect Rights of Conscience and Religious Liberty!
Urge Congress to pass thte Health Care Conscience Rights Act (H.R. 940),
click here.

To find your U.S. Respresentative,
click here.


Events

Fortnight for Freedom - June 21 to July 4

The U.S. Catholic Bishops called for a "Fortnight for Freedom," the two-week period from June 21 to July 4 -- beginning with the feasts of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher and ending with Independence Day - to focus "all the energies the Catholic community can muster" for religious liberty.
 
Bishop Campbell's Letter on 2013 Fortnight for Freedom,
click here. 

Opening Mass, Friday, June 21, 2013, 12 noon
St. Joseph Cathedral, 212 E. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio
Celebrated by Bishop Frederick F. Campbell
For flyer, click here.

USCCB Fortnight for Freedom Website,
click here.

Parish Guide to Celebrating the Fortnight (including 14 suggested ideas),
click here.

Worship Aids - Fortnight for Freedom - By Diocesan Office of Divine Worship,
click here.

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Office for Social Concerns
Catholic Diocese of Columbus
197 East Gay Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 241-2540
Email: socmailbox@colsdioc.org
socialconcerns.colsdioc.org