USCCB: pray, fast for those challenging the HHS mandate



The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is asking Catholics to pray, fast, and abstain from meat on Fridays in Januar, for the following intention: “that all those who are challenging the HHS mandate – whether family-owned businesses or non-profit service ministries – would have the strength to keep fighting for religious freedom.”

“The federal government has chosen this January 1 to begin implementing its nationwide mandate forcing most Catholic universities, hospitals, and service ministries to violate Church teaching or face devastating fines,” USCCB staff stated in a reflection accompanying the intention. “Faith-based organizations like these seek to practice what they preach. That is, they seek to live out the Gospel mandate to serve those whom Christ called ‘these least brothers of mine’ (Mt. 25:40) while adhering to the tenets of our faith—including promoting the sanctity of human life. We pray that the courts will uphold our ability to live out the Gospel in its entirety!”

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