Archbishop Wenski of Miami, president of the FCCB, and Bishop Dewane of Venice have issued statements on the new detention facility in the Everglades, known as "Alligator Alcatraz." The detention facility is located on the border of the Archdiocese of Miami and the Diocese of Venice.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed an eighth death warrant since the start of 2025. If the state puts Michael Bell to death by lethal injection on July 15 and carries out the scheduled June 24 execution of Thomas Gudinas, it would match the most executions in a year since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976 by a decision of the U.S. Supreme Court. Florida also executed eight inmates in 1984 and 2014.

The FCCB has requested Gov. Ron DeSantis to stay the execution of Thomas Gudinas and commute his sentence to life imprisonment without parole. Gudinas is scheduled to be executed on June 24 for the 1994 murder of Michelle McGrath in Orlando.

Florida’s Catholic Bishops have interceded to ask Governor Ron DeSantis to stay the execution of Anthony Wainwright and commute his sentence to life without parole. Wainwright is scheduled to be executed on June 10 for the 1994 murder of Carmen Gayheart in Hamilton County, FL.

The College of Cardinals has elected the 267th successor of St. Peter the Apostle. Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, who has taken the name Leo XIV, was elected May 8, 2025. The following is a statement from Michael Sheedy, executive director of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops:

Florida’s Catholic bishops have appealed to Gov. Ron DeSantis to stay the execution of Glen Rogers and commute his sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Rogers is scheduled to be executed on May 15 for the 1995 murder of Tina Marie Cribbs in Florida. He also received a sentence of death for the murder of Sandra Gallagher in California and is suspected of committing several other murders across the country.

HB 1255, sponsored by Representative Dana Trabulsy (R-Fort Pierce) was passed by the full House (86-27) on April 23 and has been sent to the Senate. A provision of the bill would require health education that addresses human embryologic development in grades 6-12 to include a high-definition, medically accurate ultrasound video showing the development of the heart and other organs and movement of the limbs and head.

The bill would address notary public fraud, particularly focusing on immigration matters and the misuse of professional titles by notaries. They would prohibit a notary public from using specified terms, such as “notario público,” or any designation or title, in any language, which conveys or implies that he or she possesses professional legal skills in immigration law.

The bill would create the Office of Faith and Community within the Executive Office of the Governor to connect government infrastructure and resources with faith-based and community-based organizations. The measure recognizes the significant role of faith and community networks in supporting vulnerable groups and promotes enhanced collaboration with governmental programs.

Florida’s Catholic bishops have asked Governor Ron DeSantis to stay the execution of Jeffrey Hutchinson and commute his sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Hutchinson is scheduled to be executed on May 1. He was convicted of the 1998 murders of Renee Flaherty and her three children, Geoffrey, Amanda, and Logan Flaherty. A sentence of death was imposed for the murder of each child. A life sentence was imposed for the murder of Ms. Flaherty.

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops joins with many others around the world in mourning the death of Pope Francis and reflecting on his life and ministry.

HB 1255, sponsored by Representative Dana Trabulsy (R-Fort Pierce) was approved (17-4) by the Education and Employment Committee on April 17. FCCB staff indicated support for the bill. A provision of the bill would require health education that addresses human embryologic development in grades 6-12 to include a high-definition, medically accurate ultrasound video showing the development of the heart and other organs and movement of the limbs and head.

Legislation that would protect immigrants from fraud advanced through committees in both chambers this week. SB 846, sponsored by Senator Tina Polsky (D-Boca Raton), was unanimously passed by the Senate Rules Committee on April 16, and HB 915, sponsored by Rep. Johanna López (D-Orlando), was approved unanimously by the House Judiciary Committee on April 17. Both bills have been placed on their respective chamber's calendar on second reading.