Philadelphia, Pa., Mar 13, 2012 / 01:17 am
The Catholic bishops of Pennsylvania are calling for a day of prayer, fasting and abstinence on March 30 in response to to the “unprecedented and gross infringement” of religious freedom by the Obama administration’s contraception and sterilization mandate.
“On that day, offer your sacrifice for the cause of religious liberty, that the Church may be granted the basic right to practice what she preaches, and for our political leaders, that their eyes may be opened to the rights of all Americans, including those of faith,” the bishops said March 10.
“We have entered dangerous territory – the government is defining religion and limiting its practice. This is an unprecedented and gross infringement on our religious freedom. We did not pick this fight, but neither will we run from it,” they said.
The HHS mandate will require Catholic employers to pay for sterilization and contraception, including some abortion-causing drugs.