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Catholic Days Participants Call on Lawmakers to Protect Human Life and Dignity
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On January 30 and 31, Catholics from across the state made the trip to Tallahassee to participate in Catholic Days at the Capitol. Advocacy efforts at this annual event can significantly impact the outcome of legislative proposals affecting the life and dignity of Florida's residents. This year, participants engaged the issues of Preganancy Support Services, the McKay Scholarship Program for Students with Disabilites and Death Penalty Repeal.
While in town, Catholic Days participants were briefed on the issues, met with lawmakers and/or their aides, toured the capitol, observed the lawmaking process in action, posed for group photos with their bishops and enjoyed a luncheon and awards ceremony. The Red Mass followed by a reception concluded two days of activities.
 During the Catholic Days luncheon on Wednesday, January 31, Senate President Joe Negron, District 25, Palm City, was presented with the Defensor Dignitatis award for his ongoing, courageous and valiant defense of the dignity of the human person.
President Negron with Bishop Barbarito (Left) and Archbishop Wenski (Right).
Another Catholic Days highlight was the special visitor at our display table in the capitol rotunda. A life-size, cardboard image of Pope Francis delighted capitol visitors and workers alike. The "Holy Father" spent the day smiling and posing for all who wished to snap a quick photo or selfie.
Additional Catholic Days photos are available on our website and Facebook page.
Save the date for next year's Catholic Days at the Capitol
March 26-27, 2019! |
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At Annual Red Mass Bishops Pray with and for State Leaders
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Catholic Days at the Capitol came to its official conclusion on the evening of January 31 with the 43rd annual Red Mass of the Holy Spirit at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More. The lay faithful, members of the Florida bench and bar, legislators, state agency officials, and others of good will joined the bishops in prayer and worship. Mass participants invoked the Holy Spirit, seeking divine inspiration and guidance for those who serve in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, and for members of the legal profession.
 Bishop William A. Wack CSC offered the homily. "We need the gifts of the Holy Spirit to remind us who we are," proclaimed Bishop Bill. Particularly, we ask for the gift of "Fear of the Lord", so that we may revere and adore God while remembering that we are called to do His will. Only when we 'get out of the way' and let God work through us will God be glorified in us and in our world as well. You can listen to Bishop Bill's homily by clicking here.
 
Representative Colleen Burton, District 40, Lakeland, and Mr. Fred Springer, Esq. served as lectors at the Mass. |
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Bishops of Florida Meet with Governor and First Lady
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While attending Catholic Days activities in Tallahassee, the bishops of Florida also had the opportunity to meet with Governor Rick Scott and First Lady Anne Scott at the Governor's Mansion. On January 31 over breakfast, the bishops discussed with their hosts issues of importance to the Church. Areas addressed included pro-life concerns, parental empowerment in education, immigration, and religious freedom. The bishops have been meeting with governors for the past three decades. These annual meetings have helped to establish a respectful working relationship between the Church and our state government, so that they can partner to serve Florida's most vulnerable residents and promote the common good.
In recognition of the governor's shared commitment to Florida's heritage, the bishops presented Governor and First Lady Scott with a replica of the Florida Catholic Heritage Monument. The Florida Catholic Heritage Monument commemorates Florida's Catholic cultural heritage and symbolizes the rich diversity of our state's communities past and present. The monument hangs on the FCCB building in downtown Tallahassee. |
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CRC Committee Rejects Privacy Amendment
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On February 1, the Judicial Committee of the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) defeated (2-4) an FCCB supported proposal that sought to restore the privacy clause in Florida's constitution to its original intent. Proposal 22, sponsored by Commissioner John Stemberger, specifies a person has the right of privacy from governmental intrusion "with respect to privacy of information and the disclosure thereof."
Court decisions have extended the privacy clause to abortion cases. Laws requiring parental consent before minors can have abortions and 24-hour waiting periods before abortions (which may still be appealed) have been struck down by Florida courts based on the clause. The proposal would not eliminate the right to an abortion, which is protected under federal court rulings, but it would allow reasonable regulations on abortion procedures in state law.
The Constitutional Revision Commission (CRC) convenes once every 20 years to examine the Florida Constitution and propose changes for voter consideration. At least 22 members of the commission must support a proposal before it can reach the 2018 general election ballot. |
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Predatory Payday Lending Practices Take Advantage of Vulnerable Consumers
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Payday lenders in Florida charge consumers an average of 278% annual percentage rate. Payday borrowers often have difficulty making ends meet when they repay the loan on their next payday, and then find themselves caught in a cycle of debt. The average payday borrower in Florida borrows 7.7 payday loans in one year; more than half will borrow 12 loans.
These loans take advantage of the financial distress of the working poor and those on fixed incomes. The FCCB supports SB 642/HB 555 which would cap payday loans at 30% and 36% APR respectively, more aligned with comparable lending products in Florida.
FCCB staff expressed opposition in committee this week to SB 920 (Bradley). The measure would double the amount that could be borrowed through payday loans, and double the fees that consumers would pay. Michael Sheedy, executive director, highlighted the FCCB's concerns in a letter to the bill sponsor.
FCCB supported of an amendment by Senator Gibson that was voted down, but would have capped these loans at 30% APR. |
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Dual Enrollment Access for All Florida Students Passes Senate Committee
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SB 1064 (Baxley), a bill allowing students in private school to participate in a dual enrollment program available to public school students, passed the Senate Education Committee (8-2) on January 29. High school students in the program can enroll in college courses and receive higher education credits at no cost to the student or the private school the student attends. FCCB staff expressed support for the measure during the committee hearing.
Mrs. Susan Heekin and her son Nate (pictured above with James Herzog, associate director for education) testified briefly in support of SB 1064. Susan is the mother of four children attending Assumption Catholic School and Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville. Her son, Nate, is currently in seventh grade at Assumption and will be the third generation of his family to attend Bishop Kenny, following both his parents and grandparents.
Watch a brief video summarizing Mrs. Heekin's and Nate's testimony. |
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February 2, 2018
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2018 FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE SESSION
E-Update: Week 4
The 2018 Regular Session of the Florida Legislature began January 9 and is schedule to conclude March 9.
Each Friday during the 60-day session, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) provides a summary of activity on priority bills and other items of interest at the Capitol.
For the current status of FCCB priority bills, see our legislative bill report.
E-Update: Week 1
E-Update: Week 2
E-Update: Week 3
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