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Governor Scott urged to spare life of Michael Lambrix; Prayer vigils scheduled
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After over three decades on death row, Michael Lambrix is scheduled to be executed on Thursday, October 5, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. Mr. 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, FCCB executive director, appealed to Governor Rick Scott to commute Mr. Lambrix's death sentence to a life sentence without the possibility of parole. "Supporters of the death penalty generally presume that this most extreme of sentences is reserved for the 'worst of the worst,' when in fact it is applied in a very arbitrary manner," wrote Sheedy. "Note that Mr. Lambrix indicates he was offered a plea deal, which, had he accepted it, would have allowed him to return to society and his family by now. Instead, he faces execution."
Additionally, defendants who were sentenced by non-unanimous juries after June 2002 have been considered eligible for resentencing hearings. Yet, those, like Mr. Lambrix, sentenced prior to that date - but under the same system ruled unconstitutional by the Florida Supreme Court - have been denied resentencing under a unanimous jury requirement.
Take Action: Urge Governor to Commute Sentence of Death to Life
If you have not already done so, please join the bishops in calling for Governor Scott to commute Mr. Lambrx's sentence from death to life without parole. You can send a message to the governor by clicking here.
Opportunities to Gather in Prayer Prior to Scheduled Execution
In the next two days, Catholic faithful and members of the community will gather across the state to pray for the victims of violent crimes and their families, for those on death row, for an end to the use of the death penalty, and for Governor Scott as he confronts the decision to proceed with the execution. Click here to find locations and times of prayer vigils in your area. |
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U.S. House passes Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act
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On October 3, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 36 the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act by a vote of 237 to 189. The bill makes it unlawful to perform or attempt to perform an abortion if the probable post-fertilization age of the unborn child is 20 weeks or greater. Exceptions are included for cases of rape or incest, or to save the life of the mother. The legislation needs to be passed by the U.S. Senate before it can be sent to the president for his signature.
In a letter to the U.S. House of Reprepesentatives, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, urged members to pass the bill calling the 20-week ban a "common-sense reform." |
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Pope Francis launches "Share the Journey"; Week of Prayer and Action follows
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Photo: Catholic News Service (CNS)
On September 27, Pope Francis, with arms outstretched to "welcome the stranger", launched a two-year, global campaign aimed at raising awareness of the plight of migrants and refugees. The "Share the Journey" campaign is sponsored internationally by Caritas Internationalis and in the U.S. by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Charities USA and Catholic Relief Services. Through this campaign, the Church is calling on the faithful to encounter migrants and refugees in an effort to break down barriers of fear and suspicion and build bridges of understanding and hospitality. Bishops across Florida and the U.S. are holding events and reaching out to support migrants and refugees in their own dioceses.
The campaign launch is being followed in the U.S. by a Week of Prayer and Action, October 7-13, when parishes, schools and other institutions across the country will join in prayer, education and sharing of information to support migrants and refugees locally and around the world. |
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Archbishop Wenski delivers remarks at Governor Scott's 2017 Latin America Summit
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On October 2, Governor Rick Scott hosted the 2017 Latin American Summit in Miami to discuss the important relationship Florida shares with the region. Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami, president of the FCCB, was among the speakers invited to give remarks during the summit.
The archbishop spoke of the long history and influence of the Catholic Church and its institutions in Latin America. "So, when we in the American Church evaluate policies affecting Latin America, we, first, look to the local Church for guidance. They are on the scene and have been since day one; I expect that the Church will remain on the scene - and they understand contexts of whatever situation," said Archbishop Wenski. "Again, the value of the local Church's perspective is inestimable: There is no other reality on the scene as present in the daily lives of the region's people or as credible."
Read Archbishop Wenski's full remarks. |
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Florida now offering online voter registration
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Florida recently joined 35 other states offering online voter registration to its residents with the launch of RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov. The website was created to comply with a 2015 law that required online registration to be available by October 1.
Florida residents can register to vote at the website or update their current registrations, or they can fill out and print a registration form that must be turned in to a local supervisor of elections. Voters will need a Florida driver's license or state identification card and the last four digits of their Social Security number to submit their register online.
Voting is a right in our country through which we are called to exercise faithful citizenship. The bishops encourage all persons who are eligible to vote to take the steps necessary to register. |
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Early registration deadline extended for State Respect Life Conference
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The 31st Annual Respect Life State Conference will be held October 20 & 21 at the Bonaventure Resort & Spa in Weston. The conference theme, For the Least of Them, and fingerprint heart image speak to our personhood and how we are each unique, unrepeatable human beings with inherent dignity, made in God's image. The theme and program are designed to inspire, educate, and equip participants in upholding the dignity of the most vulnerable members of society against attacks from the culture of death. Come hear dynamic speakers present Catholic Church teachings on today's critical life issues. Be inspired and equipped to protect the least among us.
Due to Hurricane Irma affecting so many areas of the state, early bird registration and the special room rate at the Bonaventure Resort have been extended until Monday, October 9.
More information and registration form. |
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October 4, 2017
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Words of Wisdom
"In the end, the only response is to do good - for no matter what the darkness, it will never overcome the light."
-- Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, USCCB president, after tragic shooting in Las Vegas
October 2, 2017
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