The Register

Topeka — The Kansas Catholic bishops are hoping for a huge turnout at a rally later this month to send an “unmistakable message of support of religious freedom” to lawmakers and the courts.

The “Rally for Religious Freedom” will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, June 29, on the south steps of the Capitol in Topeka.
Organized by the four bishops of Kansas and their public policy arm, the Kansas Catholic Conference, the rally seeks to show that Americans do not believe their government should force people to do things that violate their religious beliefs, said Michael Schuttloffel, executive director of the Catholic conference.

“The bishops want to send a clear message that Catholics are not going to take the Obama administration’s unprecedented attack on religious liberty lying down,” he said.

The key issue is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ mandate that would force Catholic institutions to provide health insurance coverage to employees for procedures the Church opposes, including abortion-inducing drugs, artificial contraceptives and sterilizations.

But other government, legislative and judicial actions also have hindered Catholic institutions’ missions and carved away at the constitutionally supported right of religious liberty.

“During the two weeks before the Fourth of July, Catholics — and people of all faiths — will be demonstrating across the country on this issue of religious freedom,” Schuttloffel said. “We hope to show that there is a broad consensus in this country that the government should not force people to do things that violate their sincerely held religious beliefs.”

Speaking at the rally will be Cathy Ruse, a lawyer who has become a national spokesperson on the religious liberty issue.
She has made numerous media appearances on PBS and CNN news shows, and her columns have been published in major newspapers and in the Catholic press.

“I think she will do an outstanding job drawing upon her substantial experience working on constitutional issues in our nation’s capital in order to explain the nature of the attack on religious freedom,” Schuttloffel said. “She will help us understand the stakes — and what we all can do — to resist this radical redefining of the First Amendment.”

Ruse has a lengthy résumé, from working as legal director of the Family Research Council to  being chief spokesperson on human life issues for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Schuttloffel said the rally will be important not only in garnering publicity but in giving Catholics a way to become involved.
“We are aiming for a huge crowd that will send an unmistakable message of support of religious freedom,” Schuttloffel said. “It will be a very rewarding experience for all who attend. This is going to be a very big event. Every Catholic in Kansas should give very serious consideration to attending.”

In addition to taking part in the rally, Schuttloffel urged Kansans to act on their own.
“They can vote for candidates who respect our First Amendment right to religious freedom. They can contact their federal and state legislators by mail or phone call to express their support for religious freedom. In short, they can hold their elected officials accountable,” he said.

For more information, go to www.kscathconf.org/rally.