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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

After over three decades on death row, Michael Lambrix is scheduled to be executed on Thursday, October 5, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. Lambrix received two death sentences for the 1983 murders of Clarence Moore and Aleisha Bryant. In a September 28 letter on behalf of the bishops of Florida, Michael Sheedy, executive director, Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, appeals to Governor Rick Scott to commute Mr. Lambrix’s death sentence to a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Effective today, Marco T. Paredes, Jr. joins the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) as associate director for health. His primary responsibility is to serve as a representative of the bishops on issues pertaining to access to health care, freedom to serve and end-of-life care before the legislative and executive branches of government and community organizations.

After eighteen months with no executions in our state, Mark Asay is scheduled to be executed on Thursday, August 24, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. Asay received two death sentences for the 1987 murders of Robert Lee Booker and Robert McDowell.

Jeff Atwater, Chief Financial Officer for the State of Florida, was honored on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 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, several state lawmakers and more than 300 Catholic faithful from across the state.

Representative Jose Felix Diaz, District 116, Miami, was honored on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, with the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops Defensor Dignitatis (Defender of Dignity) Award for his ongoing, courageous and valiant defense of the dignity of the human person.

The following is a statement from James B. Herzog, Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, associate director for education, on today’s visit by President Donald J. Trump to St. Andrew Catholic School in Orlando:

Mourning the millions of lives lost to abortion since the January 22, 1973, U.S. Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, the bishops of Florida remain committed to the promotion of public policies that defend the sanctity of life. The bishops are hopeful that proposals at both the federal and state levels will protect babies in the womb, promote the dignity of parents, and preserve conscience protections for health care workers and taxpayers. Full statement follows:

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops issued the following statement identifying concerns with a problematic framework established by Amendment 2, “Use of Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions.” Full statement follows:

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Today, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-3 decision, has overturned a Texas law that aims to protect the health and safety of women who undergo abortion.