PORTLAND — Bishop Richard Malone and all U.S. bishops are announcing that the 14 days from June 21, the memorial of martyred Saints Thomas More and John Fisher, to July 4, Independence Day, will be dedicated to a nationwide “Fortnight for Freedom — a great hymn of prayer for our country.”

The Fortnight was established in response to numerous recent actions taken by the government which interfere or prevent institutions and individuals from acting in accordance with their deeply-held moral beliefs, states a release.

The Fortnight will be focused on education and awareness, and special events are planned to highlight the importance of defending religious liberty.

On July 2 at 12:15 p.m., a special Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Malone at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Other possible events include bell ringing by all churches, prominent displaying of flags by faithful Catholics, and ecumenical discussions on religious freedom. Any public action will be non-confrontational.

Bishop Malone explained, “Religious liberty is not only about our ability to go to Mass on Sunday or to pray the Rosary at home. It is about whether we can continue to make our contribution to the common good of all Americans without violating our deeply-held moral beliefs. This issue affects all Americans — it is not a Catholic issue, a Jewish issue, an Orthodox, Mormon or Muslim issue. It is an American issue.”

More information from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on the Fortnight is available at www.usccb.org /issues-and-action/religiousliberty/ fortnight- for- freedom/.