HLI calls Catholics to Join U.S. Bishops in Prayer and Action During Fortnight for Freedom

Contact: Stephen Phelan, Human Life International, 540-622-5270, SPhelan@hli.org 

FRONT ROYAL, Va., June 12, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Father Shenan J. Boquet, president of Human Life International, invites all Catholics to pledge to pray the Rosary daily during the USCCB's Fortnight for Freedom, June 21 - July 4.  The "Rosaries for Freedom" pledge can be found at www.hli.org/fortnight. Fr. Boquet said the following: 

"The battle lines are drawn, and the arguments are familiar to us now. Although the Catholic Church was intentionally selected as the enemy in a false 'war on women,' all faithful Christians now recognize that the threat is really not only against Catholics, but against all people of faith, and our most fundamental freedoms. The First Amendment, which states, in part, that 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof' is itself under attack.  

"We are determined not to find out what will happen if this fundamental freedom is abolished, which is why we are in this fight now. Of course, we will join in rallies, we will raise our voices and we will make sure that everyone knows the importance of their vote in November. But we also have a power that goes beyond these worldly obligations -- the power of prayer.  
 
"We pray with renewed urgency and focus, and we pray in solidarity. Prayer is by far the most powerful weapon we have in this fight for freedom, and it is necessary if we are to ultimately succeed.  
 
"I am asking you to commit to praying with the pro-life missionaries of Human Life International, for the defense of the freedom of religion. I'm asking you to commit to praying one rosary per day during the Fortnight for Freedom, a two-week effort called for by our bishops to unite in prayer and action in defense of religious freedom, from June 21 - July 4. I'm also asking you to share this pledge with friends, to have them join us in prayer that people of faith be free to live their faith in freedom.  
 
"We can win this battle! And a win here will send a message to the world -- this is really a fight for all of us who have the right not only to worship, but to be free to live our faith consistently in our workplaces and in the public square, without compromise.

"Please join us in prayer during this Fortnight for Freedom and share this invitation with friends!"
 
About HLI: Human Life International: For the Glory of God and defense of Life, Faith and Family. Founded in 1981, HLI is the world's largest international pro-life and pro-family organization, with affiliates and associates in over 100 countries on six continents. www.hli.org