Today, the Archdiocese of Washington filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to challenge the Department of Health and Human Services’(HHS) unprecedented mandate dramatically redefining religious ministry and requiring religious organizations to provide coverage for drugs and procedures in direct conflict with their religious beliefs. Archbishop Carroll High School, Inc.; Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, Inc.; the Consortium of Catholic Academies of the Archdiocese of Washington, Inc.; and The Catholic University of America are also plaintiffs in the same action. This local lawsuit is one of 12 actions filed nationwide today, on behalf of 43 separate Catholic institutions around the country
We have posted a video message from Mrs. Jane Belford, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Washington and created a webpage at which you can follow the developments.
Pray
There are two ways that we are asking you, firstly, join us in prayer. Prayer is our most significant tool in the fight for freedom. Each time we engage in conversation with our Lord, He gifts us with the grace to become His witnesses in the world. Join the faithful from the Archdiocese of Washington each day at 3pm and pray for the protection of religious freedom. Take a minute out of your day and pray the following:
Loving Father, Thank you for the gift of life and for the freedom to love and worship You. Through the power of the Holy Spirit inspire us to be your witnesses. Grant us the courage to boldly and joyfully stand in protection of our freedom. In your mercy, guard our religious freedom so we may continue to live out our faith and transform the world in which we live. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Talk with friends and family
If you are like me, you have had a lot of conversations about this topic and know that there is a lot of misinformation being shared. Help get good information into the hands of family and friends by sharing these links and having the courage to raise the issue.