News - January 2020 RSS Feed

On January 17, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) filed an amicus curiae brief with the Supreme Court of the United States in support of James M. Dailey, an inmate on Florida's death row, urging a new trial in his case due to persuasive evidence of actual innocence. The amicus brief explains the Catholic Church's longstanding opposition to the death penalty. The Church teaches that capital punishment violates respect for life and human dignity. The injustice is especially acute in the instance of an innocent person sentenced to death. The amicus brief also argues that the execution of an innocent person violates the Constitution of the United States. 

Legislation that strengthens protections for vulnerable elderly persons who receive court appointed guardians was passed unanimously by first committees of reference in both the House and the Senate. SB 994 (Passidomo) and HB 709 (Burton) make a number of changes to improve guardianship laws in the state with respect to conflict of interest, compensation and appointment of guardians. Additionally, the bills require that guardians may not consent to or authorize do-not-resuscitate orders for their wards without court approval. The FCCB indicated its support for the measure at both committee meetings.

The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee passed (5-2) a bill that would create a new statewide consumer-loan program that could charge interest rates as high as 36 percent on small-dollar loans. Florida statutes consider interest rates beyond 18 percent to be usurious. However, consumer finance loans (installment loans largely accessed by individuals with limited access to capital and traditional financial services) are allowed to charge up to 30 percent under current Florida law.

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida’s Catholic bishops have released a joint statement in somber recognition of the 47th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. In Catholic dioceses in the U.S., January 22 is designated a Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.