Most church-goers are used to announcements asking them to silence their cell phones before services begin. In a twist, Archbishop Lori of Baltimore did just the opposite, urging a congregation to pull out their cell phones and use them during Mass.

…Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore…called on the congregation to open their cellphones and text the word “freedom” or “libertad” to 377377. It was part of the U.S. bishops’ religious liberty text campaign, and in two minutes about 2,500 people suddenly joined the effort. Those who texted signed up to receive text messages about the campaign, which still continues. Archbishop Lori admitted that asking people to turn on their phones at Mass was a first for him – and likely a first for everyone in the congregation.

An overflow crowd of 5,000+ people attended the July 4 Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, to close the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ ‘Fortnight for Freedom’ campaign.

View the video of Archbishop Lori here.

For more on the Fortnight for Freedom, see ‘We didn’t pick the time, nor did we pick the fight‘ and “New Video: HHS Mandate and Religious Liberty‘.