Contact: Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, 540-538-4741

WASHINGTON, July 31, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- There will be a news conference, prayer vigil and civil disobedience at the White House on Wednesday, August, 1 at 3:00 P.M.

The activists will be gathering on Pennsylvania Ave. NW in front of the White House on the Lafayette Park side.

The HHS mandate, which will force people of faith and conscience to violate their deeply held values and convictions, takes effect for many companies and individuals on August 1.

The mandate would force Christians and  people of good will to provide abortion inducing-drugs and sterilization in their health care coverage even though it violates their religious beliefs and conscience.

We agree with Cardinal Dolan when he says, "No government has the right to intrude into the affairs of the Church, much less coerce, the Church faithful to engage or cooperate in any way with immoral practices."

The vigil and witness on Wednesday is a preview of a larger national event taking place at the White House called Actsfive29. (Go to actsfive29.com for more information.)

On September 29-October 2 people from all across the nation are coming to the White House to take part in Actsfive29 which will include 72 hours of continual prayer, public witness and arrests.

Wednesday's activities are being led by long time and revered pro-life activist Joan Andrews Bell, Chris Slattery, Founder of Expectant Mother Care in New York City, and the Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition.

Chris Slattery comments;

"August 1 marks a new day of infamy when the Obama Administration undermines the religious liberty of all Americans.  We strongly protest the imposition of a new Obama religious test and immoral health care mandate which offends and degrades millions of Americans.

"This mandate forces all to be complicit in paying for Obama's anti-religion and anti-life values."

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, adds;

"Benjamin Franklin stated, 'Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature.'  Sadly, the Obama Administration is dictating to people of faith and conscience how they are to live their values in the public square.

"If President Obama can force Christian individuals, institutions and businesses to abandon their core values and follow the dictates of the government in violation of what they know to be true, then religious freedom and the First Amendment are dead.

"The faith community can never be silent or indifferent when it comes to matters of justice, human rights and religious freedom.  As we gather in front of the White House we are sending a powerful message to our President and political leaders that we will never comply with unjust and immoral government mandates."

For more information contact:
Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney at    540.538.4741