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TALLAHASSEE, FL – Gary Ray Bowles is scheduled to be executed on Thursday, August 22 at 6:00 p.m. for the 1994 murder of Walter Hinton. Bowles additionally pled guilty to five other murders and is serving life sentences for two of them.

On behalf of my brother bishops of the Province of Miami, I am the moderator for respect life and have the privilege of pastoral responsibility for inmates awaiting execution and those relatives of victims.  I bring this perspective to you today, with a focus on our twofold interest: 1) pastoral care and 2) public or political discourse.

In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus says, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (22:39). Unfortunately, society has drifted away from this commandment, and hate has been spewed and acted out in many ways, most recently and notably in the mass shooting that occurred last weekend in El Paso, Texas. Racism and xenophobia are evident in the motive behind this and other mass shootings in recent years.

Florida's First District Court of Appeal has sent a ruling that found a 24-hour reflection period prior to an abortion unconstitutional back to the circuit court for further consideration. Though plaintiffs may appeal the decision, it is expected the case will go to trial. The lower court suspended the 2015 law after a Gainesville abortion clinic challenged the required reflection period as a violation of privacy rights under Florida's constitution. 

Gary Ray Bowles is scheduled to be executed on August 22 at Florida State Prison in Starke. Bowles, who was sentenced to death for the 1994 murder of Walter Hinton in Duval County, is also serving life sentences for the murders of John Roberts in Volusia County and Albert Morris in Nassau County.

You are invited to attend the 2019 Statewide Florida Respect Life Conference "In the Heart of Our Mother" in historical St. Augustine. National and state speakers will inspire and educate you with their expertise, sharing powerful fact-filled lectures that will lead us to a nurturing love which we can bring to others.

On Friday, June 21, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a record $90.9 billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1. Before signing the spending plan passed by legislators in May, the governor used his line-item veto power to cut more than $131 million in proposed spending.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a death warrant for Gary Ray Bowles, who was sentenced to death for the 1994 murder of Walter Hinton in Duval County. Bowles, 57, is also serving life sentences for the murders of John Roberts in Volusia County and Albert Morris in Nassau County. 

Religious Freedom Week 2019: Strength in Hope takes place from June 22 to 29. The week began with the feast day of Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher, includes the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, and ends with the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.

On June 17, President Donald Trump announced impending immigration enforcement actions by the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Subsequent press reports on Friday, June 21 indicated that ICE has plans for an enforcement operation in major cities, including Miami, to remove thousands of migrant families with deportation orders.

The bishops of the United States just concluded their annual summer meeting.  One of the key topics was Pope Francis’ Apostolic Motu Proprio, modifying norms in response to sexual abuse.  In her June 11 opinion piece, Senator Lauren Book cited this directive, noting that the Holy Father’s recent directive does not include a requirement to report allegations of abuse to law enforcement.

On Wednesday, June 5, a fire was set at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Tallahassee. The church is the location where the Red Mass of the Holy Spirit is celebrated annually by the bishops of Florida during Catholic Days at the Capitol.

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Robert Joseph “Bobby Joe” Long is scheduled to be executed on Thursday, May 23 at 6:00 p.m. for the 1984 murder of Michelle Sims. Long additionally pled guilty to, and received life sentences for, seven other murders.

The Regular Session of the Florida Legislature will came to a close on Saturday, May 4. Due to a mandatory 72-hour "cooling off" period for legislators to review the budget before final passage, the session was extended one day beyond its May 3 scheduled end.

TALLAHASSEE, FL – The following is a statement from Michael B. Sheedy, Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB), executive director, on final passage of SB 168 sponsored by Senator Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota): “Today’s passage of state-level immigration enforcement legislation is disheartening. There are many, including members of the Florida Legislature, who are frustrated that Congress has not enacted needed immigration reforms. However, immigration law is, and should remain, in the purview of the federal, not state, government.

At the invitation of President Bill Galvano, Fr. Tim Holeda delivered the opening prayer for the Senate Session on Friday, April 26. Fr. Holeda is parochial vicar at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Tallahassee and also serves as chaplain of the Florida State University Catholic Student Union (CSU). Several CSU students were present in the gallery to join in prayer and view the session.

HB 527 (Byrd) was passed by the House (69-47). The Senate took up its similar companion measure, SB 168 (Gruters), amended the bill and passed it (22-18). Among other Senate amendments, protections were added for any undocumented immigrant who has been a witness to or victim of certain crimes, including domestic violence, rape, murder, and human trafficking. The Senate bill moves to the House for further consideration.

Formal negotiations on the state budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1, 2019, began earlier this week. The House and Senate reached agreement on allocations - specific amounts divided among major budget areas - and the budget conference process where details are negotiated is currently underway. A final budget must be passed by both chambers before the session ends on May 3.

On Tuesday, April 23, Governor Ron DeSantis signed his first death warrant since assuming office in January 2019. The execution of Robert Joseph Long is scheduled for May 23 at 6:00 pm EDT. Long was sentenced to death for the 1984 murder of Michelle Simms in Hillsborough County.

SB 7070 (Education Committee) would create the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, a new state-funded program for students from lower-income families to attend eligible non-public schools that meet their educational needs. The measure would also reduce the current 12,974 student waitlist for the Florida Tax Credit (FTC) Scholarship Program.