For they hold the places, but you the Apostolic Faith. They are, it is true, in the places, but outside of the true Faith; while you are outside the places indeed, but the Faith, within you. Let us consider whether is the greater, the place or the Faith. Clearly the true Faith. Who then has lost more, or who possesses more? He who holds the place, or he who holds the Faith? Good indeed is the place, when the Apostolic Faith is preached there, holy is it if the Holy One dwell there. (After a little:) But ye are blessed, who by faith are in the Church, dwell upon the foundations of the faith, and have full satisfaction, even the highest degree of faith which remains among you unshaken. For it has come down to you from Apostolic tradition, and frequently has accursed envy wished to unsettle it, but has not been able. On the contrary, they have rather been cut off by their attempts to do so. For this is it that is written, ‘Thou art the Son of the Living God,’ Peter confessing it by revelation of the Father, and being told, ‘Blessed art thou Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood did not reveal it to thee,’ but ‘My Father Who is in heaven,’ and the rest. No one therefore will ever prevail against your Faith, most beloved brethren. For if ever God shall give back the churches (for we think He will) yet without such restoration of the churches the Faith is sufficient for us.
Saint Athanasius
Faith is a gift from God. Religion and the free exercise of religion is man’s response to the gift of Faith from God. Government is instituted among men to safeguard the unalienable human rights, innate and endowed by “their Creator”. Only an infinite God can endow unalienable human rights. The finite state state can grant finite rights. State granted rights end when the state ends. The state ends when the state violates the purpose for which the state is instituted, as in abortion, that is ending the lives of our constitutional Posterity. Only the prayers of the Faithful have spared the state so far. God bless America.
“The rights that the state gives, the state can take away” Thomas Jefferson
Each and every newly begotten innocent person wills to live.
A number of years ago I happened to be in Milwaukee for the Christmas Holidays when Rembert Weakland was the Archbishop. He had refused to allow any parish to offer the Latin Mass there. I wound up attending A real Mass in a converted automotive garage celebrated by a Discalced Carmelite and I had never felt so close to God in 50 years . Let them keep their cathedrals we have the Church.