WASHINGTON (AP) — Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput (SHAP'-yoo) predicts American Catholics will face "more and more serious challenges to religious liberty" in the future.
Chaput delivered the homily at a July 4 Mass in Washington concluding the Fortnight for Freedom — 14 days of prayer, education and advocacy organized by U.S. bishops in response to government policies like the health care law's birth control mandate.
The bishops maintain that religious institutions and individual employers shouldn't be required to provide insurance for drugs and treatments they consider immoral.
Chaput said Catholics "need to speak out" for religious liberty and for "the sacredness of life."
The Vatican's ambassador said Pope Benedict hopes American Catholics will be strengthened in their religious and patriotic commitment.
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230-w-32-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput)--Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput predicts American Catholics will face more and more serious challenges to religious liberty in the future. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (4 Jul 2012)
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233-a-10-(Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput (SHAP'-yoo), at July 4 Mass to conclude the Catholic Fortnight for Freedom)-"sacredness of life"-Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput says American Catholics have a message and a mission. ((longer version of cut used in wrap)) (4 Jul 2012)
<<CUT *233 (07/04/12)>> 00:10 "sacredness of life"
232-a-11-(Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput (SHAP'-yoo), at July 4 Mass to conclude the Catholic Fortnight for Freedom)-"so very important"-Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput says American Christians will increasingly have to defend their religious rights. (4 Jul 2012)
<<CUT *232 (07/04/12)>> 00:11 "so very important"
231-a-13-(Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl, at July 4 Mass to conclude the Catholic Fortnight for Freedom)-"our religious liberty"-Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl says the Fourth of July Mass is the culmination of a nationwide church focus on religious freedom. (4 Jul 2012)
<<CUT *231 (07/04/12)>> 00:13 "our religious liberty"
234-a-20-(Archbishop Carlo Vigano (VIG'-ah-noh), papal nuncio to the U.S., at July 4 Mass to conclude the Catholic Fortnight for Freedom)-"freedom of religion"-Archbishop Carlo Vigano, the papal nuncio to the U.S., says Pope Benedict sends his encouragement to American Catholics. ((note length of cut)) (4 Jul 2012)
<<CUT *234 (07/04/12)>> 00:20 "freedom of religion"
