Parishes ring church bells at noon July 4 to show support for religious liberty

CLEVELAND - A special mass is being held in downtown Cleveland at noon July 4 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.

The Catholic Bishops of the United States have asked parishes to participate to show their effort to defend religious liberty in our country. It's part of the U.S. Bishops "Fortnight for Freedom" which ends Wednesday.

In a press release, the Diocese of Cleveland said, "The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision to uphold the federal government healthcare mandate makes this effort of critical importance. The government's mandate requires employers to pay for healthcare coverage which violates the beliefs of a particular faith.  The government is requiring that Catholic Institutions pay for abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization, and contraception."

Churches in the eight counties of the Diocese of Cleveland will also toll their church bells at noon to show their support for religious freedom.

Cleveland Bishop Rev. Richard Lennon, along with Bishops, Most Reverend John Kudrick of the Byzantine Catholic Diocese of Parma, and Most Reverend John Burra of the Ukrainian Byzantine  Diocese of St. Josaphat in Parma will be offering the special noon mass.