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Tallahassee, FL (February 4, 2021) – While deeply appreciative of the service rendered by all members of the legislature, the bishops of Florida recognize special and notable achievements in the public square. This year, they are pleased to present the Defensor Vitae / Defender of Life Award to The Honorable Erin Grall, Florida House of Representatives, District 54, Vero Beach.

TALLAHASSEE, FL (July 29, 2020) – Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) is pleased to announce that Michael T. (“Mike”) Barrett, Esq. has joined the staff as an associate for education. Barrett serves as a professional resource person for the FCCB in education matters; coordinates, monitors and advocates issues relating to government programs affecting Florida Catholic schools, their administrators, faculty, and pupils; and represents Catholic education at the state level in Florida and in coordination with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) at the federal level. He represents the FCCB with the Florida Association of Academic Nonpublic Schools (FAANS) and maintains relationships with various school-choice organizations and special needs groups.

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops thanks Governor Ron DeSantis for signing into law today SB 404, a bill that requires parental consent before a minor has an abortion. This common-sense measure simply holds abortion to the same consent requirements as most every other medical decision involving a child, including simple interventions such as taking an aspirin or getting ears pierced.

The bishops of Florida commend our state legislature for passing, with bipartisan support, legislation that ensures a parent provides consent before a minor can terminate her pregnancy. Parental consent is required prior to a minor's medical treatment in most every instance, this includes simple medical interventions such as taking an aspirin or getting one’s ears pierced. This legislation is a common-sense measure that holds abortion to the same consent requirements as most every other medical decision involving a child.

The Distinguished Catholic Leader Award is presented to a Catholic Floridian whose life and work have deepened respect for life and increased appreciation for the human dignity of the people of Florida. The award is named for and was first presented in 1995 to Thomas A. Horkan, Jr., founding executive director of the Florida Catholic Conference. Ferré is the ninth recipient since the award’s inception.

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.

TALLAHASSEE, FL (October 29, 2019) – Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) is pleased to announce that Ken Kniepmann has joined the staff as associate for health. Kniepmann will serve the bishops and Catholic health ministry leaders in the state as a professional resource person on matters related to health care. He will advocate on behalf of the Church and Catholic health care ministry on legislative, regulatory and other public policy proposals with particular attention to ethical and moral issues.

TALLAHASSEE, FL (October 21, 2019) – The eight Catholic bishops of Florida have written to Gov. Ron DeSantis urging him to stay the execution of James Dailey. Dailey, who was sentenced to death for the 1985 murder of 14-year-old Shelly Boggio, has a strong case for innocence.

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.

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.

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.

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Raoul G. Cantero, III, former Florida Supreme Court Justice, was honored on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, with the Thomas A. Horkan, Jr. Distinguished Catholic Leader Award. The award was presented at the annual Catholic Days at the Capitol luncheon attended by the Catholic bishops of Florida, current Florida Supreme Court Justices, state lawmakers, and nearly 400 Catholic faithful from across the state.

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Catholic Mass participants will pray for divine inspiration and guidance for those serving in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government and for members of the legal profession at the annual Red Mass of the Holy Spirit.

TALLAHASSEE, FL – In their annual statement marking the January 22 anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade, the bishops of Florida acknowledged that the Church's teaching on abortion is continuously proving to be prophetic. "Our nation is increasingly rejecting abortion and Roe v. Wade as states continue to adopt more limitations on abortion and expand alternatives to abortion," said the bishops.

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Jose Antonio Jimenez is scheduled to be executed on Thursday, December 13, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. for the 1992 murder of Phyllis Minas. Governor Scott initially signed Jimenez’ death warrant in July and scheduled his execution for August 14. However, the Florida Supreme Court issued a stay of execution to further review the case. The Supreme Court lifted the stay on October 4.

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Jose Antonio Jimenez is scheduled to be executed on Tuesday, August 14, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. for the 1992 murder of Phyllis Minas. In an August 9 letter to Governor Rick Scott on behalf of the bishops of Florida, Michael Sheedy, executive director, appealed to the governor to commute Jimenez' death sentence to a life sentence without parole.

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Eric Branch is scheduled to be executed on Thursday, February 22, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. for the 1993 murder of Susan Morris. In a February 15 letter on behalf of the bishops of Florida, Michael Sheedy, executive director, appealed to Governor Scott to commute Branch's death sentence to a life sentence without parole. "It is our concern that the death penalty contributes to a growing disrespect for the sacredness of all human life," said Sheedy. "It feeds on an underlying sense of vengeance in our culture and adds to a callousness or coarseness towards one another."

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Catholic Mass participants will pray for divine inspiration and guidance for those serving in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, and for members of the legal profession in Florida. Who: The Catholic bishops of Florida, members of the Florida cabinet and executive branch, legislators, judges, attorneys, state agency officials, and members of the community. Congregants are Catholic and non-Catholic.

TALLAHASSEE, FL – In their annual statement marking the January 22 anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade, the bishops of Florida lament that a mother’s womb has become a place of vulnerability for the developing child rather than a place of safety and security.

TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops urges Governor Rick Scott to spare the life of Patrick Hannon. Hannon is scheduled to be executed Wednesday, November 8, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. for the 1991 murders of Brandon Snider and Robert Carter. In a November 6 letter on behalf of the bishops of Florida, Michael Sheedy, executive director, appealed to Governor Scott to commute Hannon’s death sentence to a life sentence without parole.