by Ed Wilkinson
It was a small but hearty band of people, much like the early American patriots, who came to pray for religious liberty.The Knights of Columbus Council No. 60 of Brooklyn sponsored an overnight vigil of eucharistic adoration to mark the beginning of the U.S. bishops’ Fortnight of Freedom. It took place in the lower church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica, Sunset Park, June 20-21.
Third Year
This is the third straight year that the bishops have asked Americans to conduct two weeks of prayer to protect religious liberty leading up to the Fourth of July.
The bishops are concerned about recent attacks on religious freedom in the country, especially the threat of the Affordable Health Care Act that forces people to violate their consciences and pay for immoral practices, such as abortion and other abortifacients.
During the vigil, which began with a 7:30 p.m. Mass celebrated by Father Norman Bennett, C.Ss.R., the Rosary was recited at the top of each hour. There also was the Litany for Liberty and prayers for the protection of life in the womb and the sanctity of traditional marriage.
Charles Buckley, who helped organize the vigil, said this was the second year that his council, that is based at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, sponsored the vigil.
Limitations on Religious Liberty
“Three years ago, we went over to St. Joseph’s, now the co-cathedral, for the Fortnight vigil,” said Buckley. “We felt we could try it, and so we have been conducting it for the past two years.”
Buckley explained that he and a group from his council would keep watch for the entire night and that people come in and out throughout the morning hours.
Buckley said he fears that a lot of Americans do not recognize the limitations being put on religious liberty in the U.S. because they are not life-threatening.
“It’s nothing new,” he said. “It goes back to the days of Thomas More and continues today with the assassination of Archbishop Romero and Father Popieluzsko.”
Father Michael Gelfant, diocesan liaison to the Knights of Columbus, stopped by at 10:30 p.m. and stayed until midnight.
Father Gelfant said that the Knights of Columbus, whose motto is “For God and Country,” placed a unique emphasis on men’s spirituality.
“It’s the only thing we have for men,” he said. “We help build men’s spirituality, and we move on to other issues from there.”
The Fortnight for Freedom concludes with a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Donald Wuerl on July 4 at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C. Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, president of the U.S. bishops conference, will preach the homily.