A Regional Section of the Catholic peace movement Pax Christi USA and Pax Christi International
END FLORIDA’S DEATH PENALTY!
A Statement by the Bishops of Florida in Support of Immigration Reform
June 5, 2013
“When an alien resides with you in your land, do not molest him. You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; have the same love for him as for yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt. I, the Lord am your God.” Leviticus 19: 33 – 34
We, the Catholic Bishops of Florida, are deeply concerned about our nation’s immigration system. We lament the loss of the many years our migrant brothers and sisters have waited for changes that would enable them to seek legal protection and support their families.
While the Catholic Church acknowledges the right of countries to control their borders and enforce immigration laws, the common good is not served when the human dignity and rights of individuals are violated. The Church teaches, the more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin. Public authorities should see to it that the natural right is respected that places a guest under the protection of those who receive him (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2241). To read full statement, click here.
Florida Leads Nation in Executions
In the face of the growing national movement away from executions and death sentences, Florida executions are set to forcibly speed up and the numbers to explode. Florida now accounts for more than a fourth of all new death sentences in the nation (22 of 78). It has degenerated into a killing contest among a few ambitious and powerful politicians in Tallahassee. It is not about justice, being smart and tough on crime, or wise use of taxpayer dollars…it’s about political posturing.
With the national record of 24 Death Row exonerations, no amount of executions will hide the fact that Florida’s Death Penalty is “the worst of the worst” of failed government programs.
Executions
- Wednesday, June 24th at 6 p.m. ET – 49-year-old Marshall Lee Gore who was given two death sentences for the 1988 killings of Susan Roark and Robyn Novick.
TAKE ACTION!
ALL Pax Christi Florida members and friends are urged to let their voices be heard – together we can end the use of the death penalty in Florida! Organize or attend vigils! Also see PCF’s May 2013 E-Newsletter (found below) focused on Florida’s death penalty for prayer-study-action resources plus Gov. Scott’s contact information.
CONFIRMED PAX CHRISTI VIGILS
AS MARSHAL GORE IS EXECUTED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA
JUNE 24, 2013
ST. JOHNS COUNTY - There will be a Vigil during the execution of Marshal Gore on Monday, June 24th in front of the St. Augustine Beach City Hall at the corner of A1A and 16th Street. Time: 5:15 – 6:15 p.m. Signs provided or bring your own. “We cannot teach that killing is wrong by killing.” Contact Nancy O’Byrne at (904) 461-9216 or obyrnen@bellsouth.net.
DUVAL COUNTY - Come pray with us at a Vigil during the execution of Marshal Gore on Monday, June 24th, in front of the new Duval County Unified Courthouse located at 501 W. Adams Street, Jacksonville. Time: 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Signs provided or bring your own. For more information, contact Jackie Gunning at (904) 449-3328 or jacqueline.gunning@bmcjax.com
FLAGLER COUNTY - Stand with us in support of life and dignity within a peaceful vigil in front of the Flagler County Courthouse. 5:00-6:00 P.M on Monday, June 24th, during the execution of Marshal Gore. Join us at the Courthouse on 1769 E. Moody Blvd, Bunnell. For information please contact Jackie Morelewicz by email Jackiem@cfl.rr.com or phone (386) 986-3146.
UNION, BRADFORD, ALACHUA COUNTIES - Join vigillers from around the state during the execution of Marshal Gore, across the highway from the Florida State Prison Execution Building on Monday, June 24th, from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Drive eight miles west of US 301 (Starke) on Florida Highway 16 West. For more information, contact John Linnehan at (904) 504-1004 or metanoia.mx@gmail.com.
PALM BEACH COUNTY - Members of Pax Christi Florida will gather in prayer at 5:30 pm on the patio of St. Ignatius Loyola - the cathedral parish of the Diocese of Palm Beach (located at the corner of Holly Drive and Military Trail in Palm Beach Gardens) to pray an end to Florida’s use of the death penalty. We will pray for Marshal Gore who is to be executed at 6:00 pm on July 24th as well as his family and friends. We also pray for his victims Robyn Novick and Susan Roark, for their families and friends and all those impacted by the violence perpetrated by Mr. Marshal and the violence that the State of Florida will carry out by this execution. For more information please contact Maureen O’Connell (dorneyoc@aol.com).
Please check with PCF’s local chapter leaders for additional vigils in your area – click here.
Also be sure to check Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty web site (FADP)
for up-to-date information and actions, click here.
This year, 2013, marks the 50th anniversary of Pope John XXIII’s papal encyclical Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth). The document was published on April 11, 1963 and was the first encyclical specifically addressed to all people of good will.
As we celebrate this momentous anniversary, Pax Christi USA has created a special webpage on the Pax Christi USA site to feature resources, articles and other items of interest that are related to Pacem in Terris throughout this anniversary year.
Click here to take a look at the special webpage “Pacem in Terris at 50.”
Bishop Pates urges public discussion of U.S. use of drones
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The United States’ use of unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, to hunt down suspected terrorists deserves a wide-scale public discussion, said the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace.
Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, raised a series of ethical and moral questions regarding the use of drones in places such as Pakistan and Yemen in detailed two-page letters to Thomas E. Donilon, national security adviser, and the chairs of several House and Senate committees dealing with national security, foreign relations, intelligence and government oversight.
To read full article, click here.
PRAYER - STUDY – ACTION
Latest Pax Christi Newsletters – Regional, USA, and International
NOTE! Some e-newsletters may take several seconds to download due to extent of content.
For additional Pax Christi and news items of interest, click here.
she moves me
blogging for mother earth
by
PCF Council Member, Jim Rucquoi
i want to sit on this rock with you awhile, friend, think out loud a bit. first up, these new readings i’ve bumped into that continue to shake me awake. ever since starting out on my bike three years ago for mother earth, mother’s been whispering in my ear something fierce. after climate ride california last year i can think of little else. scattered news of old that held me in its addictive clutches fails to move me anymore. you move me, mother, front & center at last.
Please click here to read Jim’s blog.
Photos from Pax Christi Events
In right column, you will find photos of Pax Christi Florida’s 2011 Assembly, God, Country, and the Common Good led by Jean Sammon of NETWORK – Catholic Social Justice Lobby in Washington, DC. This event was held October 15 and 16 at the Life Enrichment Center in Fruitland Park, Florida. For additional Pax Christi Florida event photos, click here.
