Los Angeles, Calif., Jul 5, 2016 / 23:42 pm
As church leaders rallied U.S. Catholics to defend their faith against an increasingly antagonistic society and government, the relics of Blessed Oscar Romero and St. Junipero Serra made an appearance at the Los Angeles cathedral.
"We are living in challenging times. Our society and our culture are becoming more and more secularized," Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles said July 1.
"Sadly, also sometimes, our government is becoming more antagonistic. Sometimes we see policies that are trying to make us compromise our beliefs or deny the commandment that Jesus gives us to love and serve our neighbors," Archbishop Gomez said during Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
The Mass was a part of the U.S. bishops-organized Fortnight for Freedom. The June 21-July 4 event focuses on the defense of religious freedom in the U.S. and raises awareness of religious persecution around the world.