Friday, July 04, 2014

Facing "A False Choice," At Fortnight's Close, The Church's Case

For the third year running, this 4th of July marks the finale of the US church's Fortnight for Freedom, the national initiative born amid the specter of the Obamacare contraceptive mandate's impact on Catholic entities and their ability to serve in sound conscience.

This time around, coming in the wake of ecclesial celebrations over Monday's 5-4 Supreme Court decision which green-lighted the Hobby Lobby craft chain's objection to the mandate on religious liberty grounds, the bench's closing message was delivered by the USCCB president, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, at today's Noon Mass in the nation's largest church, Washington's Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception:


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"The Blessing of Equal Liberty"

We pray, Thee O Almighty and Eternal God! Who through Jesus Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy, that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue with unchanging faith in the confession of Thy Name.

We pray Thee, who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, our chief bishop, Pope Francis, the Vicar of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of his Church; our own bishop, N., all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation.

We pray Thee O God of might, wisdom, and justice! Through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.

We pray for his excellency, the governor of this state, for the members of the assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.

We recommend likewise, to Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

Finally, we pray to Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants departed who are gone before us with the sign of faith and repose in the sleep of peace; the souls of our parents, relatives, and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation, and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance.

To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Keeping with house custom for the great feasts of state, the preceding is the Prayer for the Nation penned and first delivered in August 1791 by American Catholicism's Founding Father, John Carroll of Baltimore – the first bishop on these shores, and a cousin of the lone Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence.

The text has a special significance this July 4th; as today brings the Declaration's 238th birthday, this coming November 6 marks the 225th anniversary of the establishment of a diocese for the 13 founding states – then a fold of 22,000 Catholics, served by 22 "known priests."

Back to today, from the place where the "great experiment" was born, a Happy 4th to one and all – hope you're in for a safe, easy and beautiful weekend. Miss Smith, take us out:


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