Religious Liberty
The topic of religious liberty has come to the forefront in recent months relating to many topics, most prominently the HHS mandate. This page will provide resources to help you understand these issues. Recently, Most Reverend Paul J. Swain, Bishop of Sioux Falls encouraged Catholics to continue to seek ways to address these ongoing concerns. This story appearded in the January 2013 Bishop's Bulletin:
Prayer, fasting urged to protect religious liberty
Bishop Paul Swain is encouraging Catholics in the Diocese of Sioux Falls to join in efforts to address the ongoing threats to religious liberty and freedom of conscience.
“As we noted last summer during the Fortnight for Freedom, these issues have been building for some time and will not quickly go away,” said Bishop Swain.
As a response, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has urged a Call to Prayer for Life, Marriage and Religious Liberty, with a number of action steps.
In a note to clergy, Bishop Swain encouraged the following where appropriate:
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a monthly Eucharistic Holy Hour for Life, Marriage and Religious Liberty beginning on the Feast of the Holy Family and then on or near the last Sunday of every month through Christ the King Sunday, November 13, 2013;
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a daily rosary for this intention;
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the regular specific intentions in the Prayers of the Faithful; and
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for those able and willing, abstinence from meat and fasting on Fridays to recognize the importance of spiritual and bodily sacrifice in the life of the Church.
“These simple but sacrificial actions and others that people may choose will help us do our part in this ongoing struggle,” said Bishop Swain. “The founding documents of our nation offer explicit protection for our religious liberty. We must do all we can to honor that foundation of liberty so that we can continue, as we have for more than 220 years in this country, to practice our faith as our faith calls us to do.”
The possibility of a follow up to last June’s Fortnight for Freedom is being considered for next summer. That timing would coincide with the possibility of major decisions by the US Supreme Court and the imposition of the HHS mandate on many Catholic institutions that are scheduled to become effective August 1, 2013.
Below are a variety of resources, statements and prayers, In addition, more resources are available at the US Bishop’s website, http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/
Statements
Stay the Course for Truth, Civilly
A Pastoral Statement offered in anticipation of upcoming civic elections.
posted: 8/31/2012
God's Faithful Servents First
Bishop Swain offered this message during the Fortnight for Freedom recognized by dioceses from across the country and organized by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, June 21, 2012 in front of the Cathedral of St. Joseph.
posted: 6/22/2012
Letter to the Catholic Faithful in the diocese from Bishop Paul Swain
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in a document entitled Our First, Most Cherished Liberty have summoned our participation in a “Fortnight for Freedom.
posted: 6/7/2012
Our First, Most Cherished Liberty
A Statement on Religious Liberty. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty
posted: 4/27/2012
Letter to Members of the Congressional Delegation from South Dakota on HHS Mandate.
Bishop Paul Swain sent this letter to the Members of the Congressional Delegation from South Dakota on February 24, 2012 regarding the HHS mandate.
posted: 2/28/2012
Statement on HHS mandate
Statement from Bishop Paul J. Swain on President Obama’s announcement of “religious liberty accommodation” to the Department of Health and Human Services’ mandate requiring employers to offer health insurance coverage for abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization and artificial contraception.
posted: 2/10/2012
Statement on Health & Human Services & Artificial Contraception
A statement from Bishop Paul J. Swain on the US Department of Health & Human Services’ announced mandate requiring employers to offer health insurance coverage for artificial contraception,sterilization and abortion-inducing pharmacotherapy.
posted: 2/3/2012
Prayers
Prayer for Religious Liberty
O GOD OUR CREATOR,
from your provident hand we have received
our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
You have called us as your people and given us
the right and the duty to worship you, the only true God,
and your Son, Jesus Christ.
Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit,
you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world,
bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel
to every corner of society.
We ask you to bless us
in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty.
Give us the strength of mind and heart
to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened;
give us courage in making our voices heard
on behalf of the rights of your Church
and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.
Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father,
a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters
gathered in your Church
in this decisive hour in the history of our nation,
so that, with every trial withstood
and every danger overcome—
for the sake of our children, our grandchildren,
and all who come after us—
this great land will always be “one nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Copyright © 2012, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved.
Suggested USCCB Prayer Resources for Conscience Rights and Religious Freedom
A collection of prayers that can be prayed from the USCCB for Conscience Rights and Religious Freedom.
posted: 4/12/2012
Homilies
2012 Chrism Mass
Bishop Swain's homily from the Chrism Mass held at the Cathedral of St. Joseph on March 21, 2012.
posted: 3/23/2012
2012 Mass for Life
Bishop Paul J. Swain's Homily on the thirty-ninth anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision which legalized abortion in the United States.
posted: 2/1/2012
Other Documents
Pray, Fast, Act
In this Year of Faith, the Catholic Bishops of the United States have called for a nationwide effort to advance a movement for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty through prayer, penance, and sacrifice.
Prayer and Action are Necessary to Keep Our First Freedom First
USCCB Nationwide Bulletin Insert
When Pope Benedict visited the United States in 2008, he asked the U.S. bishops a question: “Is it consistent to profess our beliefs in church on Sunday, and then during the week to promote business practices or medical procedures contrary to those beliefs?”
posted: 9/20/2012
One Flesh
USCCB Nationwide Bulletin Insert
The desire to love and be loved is the deepest need of our being. We long to be known, accepted, and cherished by another. Yet, the ability to fully give or receive this love is unattainable on our own. As Catholics we believe Jesus Christ has entered our broken world to conquer sin and restore us to new life.
posted: 7/20/2012
Questions Welcome
USCCB Nationwide Bulletin Insert
Lately, the Church’s teaching on contraception has been getting a good deal of public attention in the media. This has naturally led to people asking questions, especially if this teaching is news to them. Even as Catholics, we may be struggling with questions of our own.
posted: 7/20/2012
In Communion
USCCB Nationwide Bulletin Insert
Women and men want happy, healthy, life-long relationships built on trust, honesty, and intimacy. But most of all, we want our relationships to be built on real love. In today’s society, understanding real love can be difficult.
posted: 7/20/2012
USCCB Religious Liberty Bulletin Insert 2
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will be issuing a series of bulletin inserts addressing the issue of religious liberty. This is the second in this series.
posted: 6/7/2012
USCCB Religious Liberty Bulletin Insert
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will be issuing a series of bulletin inserts addressing the issue of religious liberty. Here is the first of these inserts.
posted: 4/27/2012