| |
Enhanced Abortion Clinic Regulations to Become Law
|
|
| |
Having received the approval of Governor Rick Scott, the provisions of HB 1411 will become effective on July 1, 2016. FCCB supported this legislation filed by Senator Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland) and Rep. Colleen Burton (R-Lakeland) during the Florida legislative session earlier this year.
While we seek to protect all human life, including unborn life, we recognize that some women do choose abortion. This new law protects the health and safety of these women by ensuring they receive the same level of care as those who undergo comparable procedures at outpatient surgical facilities.
"Abortionists will finally be held to the same standard as all other physicians who perform invasive procedures in a non-hospital setting by the requirement to have admitting privileges or a transfer agreement with a nearby hospital," said Ingrid Delgado, FCCB associate for respect life/social concerns, in a March 25 news release. "It is incomprehensible that opponents suggest the bill makes women less safe."
Additionally, the new law prohibits funding of abortion providers and their affiliates with certain exceptions, which allows monies to be redirected to health centers and private physicians that are willing and able to provide comprehensive health care services to women. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Pope Francis Releases Document on Love in the Family
|
|
| |
On April 8, 2016, the Vatican released Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia (Joy of Love). Deemed the "Holy Father's love letter" by some, the exhortation is the culmination of October 2014 and October 2015's synods on marriage and family and shares Pope Francis' conclusions to Church leaders and the lay faithful.
With its focus on love and hope, the exhortation reaffirms the beauty and social necessity of the family while simultaneously acknowledging the complexities and challenges of modern family life. Rich in both theological support and practical, concrete advice, all can benefit from the messages that reside within this most recent weighty work of the pope.
Pope Francis, cautioning against sheer authoritarianism and also "decrying present-day evils," explains that, "What we need is a more responsible and generous effort to present the reasons and motivations for choosing marriage and the family, and in this way to help men and women better to respond to the grace that God offers them." (no. 35)
Speaking at a press conference, Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of the Archdiocese of Miami and president of the FCCB, summarized the document's theme: "The Church is not a scold and shouldn't be seen as a scold. The Church is a mother, a loving mother and a patient mother."
Several press releases, news articles and frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the exhortation are available on the USCCB website.
Amoris Laetitia is available for free download in several languages on the Vatican website and also available for purchase from the USCCB. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
National Healthcare Decisions Day: An Opportunity to Plan for Advance Care
|
|
| |
National Healthcare Decisions Day, April 16, 2016, is a good time to make preparations for your care in the event of an unforeseen medical crisis.
The FCCB provides resources to assist with advance care planning. Designating a health care surrogate and providing guidance for end-of-life decisions is the best way to ensure that morally acceptable procedures are followed if you become incapacitated or unable to express your own wishes in the event of a medical emergency.
Three items, approved by the bishops of Florida, are particularly useful:
- A Catholic Introduction to End-of-Life Planning is a brochure to assist you as you begin your discussions with family, friends, health care providers and clergy.
- The Catholic Declaration on Life and Death (CDLD) combines a designation of health care surrogate and living will into one document and is designed to be completed and shared with your health care provider(s).
- Understanding the Catholic Declaration on Life and Death (UCDLD) is the companion to the CDLD and addresses common concerns and questions.
All the documents are available for downloading and printing from the FCCB website in both English and Spanish. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Earth Day 2016 to be Celebrated April 22
|
|
| |
April 22, 2016 marks the 46th anniversary of Earth Day. In keeping with Pope Francis' call to the faithful and all people of good will to care for God's creation, the Catholic Climate Covenant offers a myriad of resources for individuals, church groups and families to assist them in their celebration of our planet and its abundant resources.
Click here for access to prayers, video presentations, scripture, advocacy campaigns and a downloadable program guide that can help you plan a specific one-hour event focused on caring for creation and the poor. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
Recent News from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
|
|
| |
April 12, 2016: The U.S. Bishops' Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty has released a new video on religious freedom. "The Right to Religious Freedom" explores the foundations of Church teaching on religious liberty, including the groundbreaking Second Vatican Council document, Dignitatis Humanae. Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami, FCCB president, contributes to this discussion of our first freedom - the freedom of conscience - upon which all other freedoms are founded.
April 12, 2016: Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop Christophe Pierre, titular archbishop of Gunela, as the new apostolic nuncio to the United States. Archbishop Pierre, 70, has served as nuncio to Mexico since 2007 and succeeds Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, who has held the post since 2011 and reached the retirement age of 75 in January.
April 1, 2016: Cardinal Dolan, archbishop of New York and chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities responded to new guidelines issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the abortion drug, RU-486.
April 1: 2016: Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan and Archbishop William E. Lori - as chairmen of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities and Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, respectively - wrote to the U.S. House of Representatives, March 31, urging support for the Conscience Protection Act of 2016 (HR 4828). |
|
|
Top
|
|
April 13, 2016
Follow Us On
     
| |
|
|
Words of Wisdom
"The joy of love experienced by families is also the joy of the Church."
-- Pope Francis
Opening line of Amoris Laetitia
April 2016
|
|
|
