Fortnight for Freedom asks Catholics to bear witness to the truth of the Gospels

This year’s “Fortnight for Freedom: Freedom to Bear Witness” will take place in dioceses across the United States from June 21-July 4. It is a time when the Church’s liturgical calendar celebrates a series of martyrs who remained faithful in the face of persecution by political power—St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher, St. John the Baptist, Sts. Peter and Paul and the first martyrs of the Church of Rome. It concludes on Independence Day.

“Keeping the spirit of the Gospel means that Catholic institutions are to bear witness in love to the full truth about the human person by providing social, charitable and educational services in a manner that fully reflects the God-given dignity of the human person,” Archbishop William E. Lori, Chairman, Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, said.

The theme for this year is “The Freedom to Bear Witness,” to the truth of the Gospel. The United States Council of Catholic Bishops provides resources for the fortnight with 14 suggested activities for a parish to mark the fortnight. These suggestions vary from parish picnics and movie nights featuring the lives of the saint commemorated, to panel discussions on religious liberty and even Eucharistic processions through the community.

Bishop Michael Mulvey of the Diocese of Corpus Christi has urged pastors and administrators of the more than 100 parishes and missions in the diocese to bring the issue of religious freedom to the minds and the prayers of parishioners.