And so it begins.

Today, June 21, starts a Fortnight for Freedom in which Catholics and all people of good will across the nation will be united until Independence Day in prayer, events and education on the prime role that religious liberty has played in American life.

Religious freedom is the first of our freedoms - the First Amendment to the Bill of Rights.

During the Fortnight for Freedom, Catholics, along with fellow Christians, Jews, Muslims and all faith denominations should impress on their elected leaders "the importance of continued protection of religious liberty in a free society," as the U.S. bishops noted in their document, titled, "Our First, Most Cherished Liberty."

The Obama administration's HHS mandate is front and center when it comes to attacks on religious freedom. If it stands, the government will be able force people of good will to violate their religious beliefs - it represents one of the single greatest intrusions on religious liberty in American history.

Our religious liberty is in grave danger on many fronts in our nation and the Fortnight for Freedom is a critically important effort. If we don't stand up for religious freedom, who will?