News - May 2020 RSS Feed

In a May 20 letter to Governor Ron DeSantis, Michael Sheedy, FCCB executive director, asked the governor to consider the needs of students in Catholic schools as he decides how to use emergency funding awarded to state governors' offices to meet the needs of students and schools impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding was authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress on March 27.

Scholarships are available to assist with Catholic school tuition for families facing financial difficulties and whose financial situations may have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Families may qualify for a Step Up for Students scholarship to send their child to a K-12 Catholic school in Florida. For example, a family of four that makes less than $78,600 annually may qualify. For more information, see a video message from Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito of the Diocese of Palm Beach, FCCB education moderator, and visit the website of Step Up For Students.

In March, the U.S. Census Bureau mailed official notices to every household requesting participation in the 2020 Census. With an online option for the first time, as well as mail and phone options, the survey has never been easier. It only takes a few minutes to complete.

This month, Bishop Felipe Estévez of St. Augustine released a pastoral letter to the faithful of his diocese. The 20-page document is entitled, Standing Up for the Dignity of all Human Life: A Pastoral Letter on Capital Punishment in Florida, and it addresses the teachings of the Church about the intrinsic value and God-given dignity of every human life from conception until natural death.

Confronted with the challenges of the coronavirus, the bishops of Florida have been meeting weekly via video conference to discuss how to continue the mission of the Church while also protecting the health and well-being of the faithful and the broader community. As of March 20, each of Florida's bishops had made the difficult decision to suspend publicly-attended Masses and parish gatherings.

Among the dozens of COVID-19 vaccines currently in development, some are being produced using old cell lines from aborted children. Fortunately, there is no need to use ethically problematic cell lines to produce a COVID-19 vaccine or any vaccine. Other cell lines or processes that do not involve cells from abortions are available.

The effects of COVID-19 have been felt throughout all of our communities. Our immigrant community is no exception and is particularly vulnerable as many immigrants work in some of the hardest-hit industries, live in low-income households, or lack health insurance coverage. Yet immigrants are also critical to recovery efforts with significant numbers working in health-related industries and the US food sector.

To commemorate the fifth anniversary of his encyclical Laudato Si', Pope Francis has invited Catholics to participate in Laudato Si'  Week, a nine-day global campaign taking place May 16-24, 2020.

Catholics are called to actively participate in civic life, to engage in civil and respectful dialogue in the public square, and to vote with a well-formed conscience. While Catholic lay women and men are encouraged to fully exercise their rights and duties as participants in our democracy, there are specific guidelines that Church entities and representatives are urged to follow.