The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has called on all dioceses, parishes and other Catholic institutions to participate in a “Fortnight for Freedom,” June 21-July 4, a two-week period of prayer, education and action by American Catholics in support of religious freedom. Archbishop José Gomez has invited and encouraged all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles “to join with Catholic faithful across our nation during this special time to emphasize both our Christian and American Heritage of liberty.”

On June 24, Archbishop Gomez will preside at the 10 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, to be celebrated in conjunction with the “Fortnight for Freedom.” He noted that Catholics and many other Americans have strongly criticized the recent Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate requiring almost all private health plans to cover contraception, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs. 

“For the first time in our history,” he said, “the federal government will force religious institutions to fund and facilitate coverage of a drug or procedure contrary to their moral teaching, and purport to define which religious institutions are ‘religious enough’ to merit an exemption. This is a matter of whether religious people and institutions may be forced by the government to provide such coverage even when it violates our consciences.” 

For more information on activities, visit www.la-archdiocese.org and click on the “Fortnight for Freedom” icon.