Nationwide religious freedom event kicks off at Basilica

By Catholic Review Staff

 The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Baltimore will host a 7 p.m. Mass June 21 to open the Fortnight for Freedom, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore will celebrate the Mass, which kicks of 14 days dedicated to prayer, education and action in support of religious freedom.

The Fortnight for Freedom will culminate July 4 with a nationally televised Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington will preside, and Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia will give the homily.

Archbishop Lori is the chair of the U.S. Bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, which formed last year to address the U.S. bishops’ concerns about government policies that impede the work of the church, including policies that promote abortion, contraception and same-sex marriage.

 Resources for the Fortnight for Freedom are available at www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty.

Copyright (c) May 21, 2012 CatholicReview.org