News - February 2022 RSS Feed

An amendment filed by Senator Jason Pizzo would have funded an HLARC (Hormonal Long-acting Reversible Contraceptive) Program. Christie Arnold, associate for social concerns & respect life, testified in opposition to the amendment on behalf of the FCCB. HLARCs have detrimental effects on a woman's health and have abortifacient effects as they prevent embryos from implanting in the womb.

HB 741 (McClure) which would disincentivize renewable energy development through changes in reimbursement rates and additional fees, continues to advance in the legislature. 

HB 1505 (Trabulsy) and SB 1830 (Brodeur) would streamline the state government background screening system. These bills will benefit numerous organizations and industries throughout Florida, including Catholic dioceses, parishes and schools, while keeping children and vulnerable adults safe. 

After nearly six hours of debate, the Florida House passed HB 5 (Grall) shortly after midnight on February 17. House members went back and forth sharing opposing perspectives and often emotional stories of how abortion has impacted their lives. The bill, which would prohibit abortion after 15-weeks of pregnancy, was passed with a 78-39 vote largely along party lines.

"We oppose this bill because it unnecessarily expands the public records exemption shielding entities and people involved in distributing, manufacturing, and supplying drugs used in lethal injections," said Arnold.

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops was happy to sign on as a sponsor of 2022 Children's Week, which took place at the Capitol the first week of February.

HB 5 (Grall) was passed by the House Health & Human Services Committee on a 14-7 vote on February 10. Christie Arnold, associate for social concerns and respect life, testified in support of the bill on behalf of the FCCB. The bill has been placed on the House Special Order Calendar for February 15. 

Catholics from across Florida converged in Tallahassee from February 1-2 to attend Catholic Days at the Capitol. The event began on Tuesday afternoon with a briefing for participants to learn the details of four initiatives currently being considered by the Florida legislature. Early Wednesday morning, bishops and lawmakers joined Catholic Days pilgrims for an awards breakfast. At the breakfast Senators Jeff Brandes and Debbie Mayfield were honored with Defensor Dignitatis (Defender of Dignity) Awards in grateful appreciation for their efforts to protect human dignity. 

The Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Tallahassee was a sight to behold on Wednesday evening; not only because of the newly renovated sanctuary, but the presence of hundreds of Catholics from all across Florida who filled the pews for the 47th annual celebration of the Red Mass of the Holy Spirit. The Mass is offered to invoke the guidance of the Holy Spirit upon the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government, members of the legal profession and all who are tasked with leading the state of Florida.

At the invitation of Representative Chip LaMarca, Fr. Ryan Saunders offered the opening prayer for the House Session on Wednesday. Fr. Saunders, Parochial Vicar of Epiphany Catholic Church in Miami, was in Tallahassee for Catholic Days at the Capitol and the Red Mass.