FIC Blog

The Most Rev. William E. Lori, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport, has issued Let Freedom Ring: A Pastoral Letter on Religious Freedom. You can view it on the Diocese’s website.

Though addressed specifically to the Catholics of Fairfield County, the Family Institute of Connecticut strongly recommends that Bishop Lori’s letter be read by everyone of every denomination in every corner of our state. It is the most comprehensive statement on the historical roots and present threats to religious liberty in Connecticut that we have ever seen.

FIC members were on the front lines of many of the recent battles recounted in Let Freedom Ring: the Bishop Removal Bill (SB 1098), the State forcing the Plan B drug on Catholic hospitals and the Connecticut Supreme Court re-defining marriage by undemocratic fiat.

FIC members also know the underpinnings of our liberty. They organized a rally in Danbury in 2006 to highlight the original and proper understanding of church/state relations cited by Bishop Lori. And our members follow the work of others making similar points.

Bishop Lori deepens our understanding of the present crisis by tying these two themes together. From the light of liberty’s true origins, the ominous nature of the attacks on religious liberty in Connecticut these past three years stands revealed:

Like the Danbury Baptists of old, one has the sense that the freedom to go about our mission…has become a favor, a ‘carve out’ accorded us by the State, rather than a God-given right.

And he reminds us of the proper response:

You and I are called to be witnesses to truth by holiness of life, by personal integrity, and by our readiness to defend the truth even when it is unpopular or politically expedient.

Let Freedom Ring is a gift to those of us who are working hard for candidates that can help resolve these issues. Take time out of your schedule to read this 16 page document. You will return to the campaign trail with a renewed vigor for the task that God has given us.