Click here for more photos
More than 1200 faithful crowded into St. John Cathedral Friday morning to attend the "Mass for Special Need" celebrated by Cleveland Bishop Richard Lennon.. The Mass was part of a day to "Stand up for Religious Freedom" held in cities across the country which included public rally and prayers.
The effort calls on the Obama administration to rescind its Health and Human Services Administration mandate requiring all employers to pay for health care which includes abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization and contraception.
During his homily Bishop Lennon cited historic precedent for the First Amendment Freedom of Religion. The Bishop explained that following the Louisiana Purchase (1803), the Superior of the Ursuline Sisters wrote to President Thomas Jefferson in April of 1804. Up until that point, she had lived in situations where governments controlled what religious could do. She was concerned about what would happen to the Order's property and Apostolic work in light of the new government....
Click here to watch the entire Gospel and homily. Thanks to Fr. Jeffrey from the Diocese of Youngstown for posting his video.
Following the Mass, more than 1300 persons attended the Prayer rally at Cleveland's "Free Stamp" park opposite the Celebreeze federal office tower.
Lead by Living Bread Radio (WILB 1060 AM) General Manager Barbara Gaskill, a half-dozen speakers urged the crowd to act now to support repeal of the HHS Mandate as they often chanted, "the mandate must go."
Speaker after speaker cited the violation of the First Amendment Freedom of Religion clause of the United States Constitution. Several hymns were sung and prayers offered for the protection of liberty and the unborn.