A delegation comprised of 15 groups from the Catholic Diocese of Orlando met with state lawmakers from March 7 to 9 at the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee. The event was called Catholic Days at the Capitol.
A report by The Florida Catholic noted that the delegates allowed Orlando Catholics to talk with state lawmakers about legislative measures that are in line with the Church’s established teachings.
Other Details of the 3-day Exchange
The Florida Catholic said the three-day Catholic Days at the Capitol sought to offer diocesan leaders and church members from 15 parishes across the Orlando diocese to discuss legislation aligned with Catholicism.
The report noted Culture of Life Office of Catholic Charities of Central Florida met with fellow Orlando Catholics to form the delegation that engaged state lawmakers in dialogues. The diocesan delegation inquired about the lawmakers’ official stand on critical legislative proposals consistent with Catholic beliefs.
Leidy Rivas, the director of Culture of Life, told The Florida Catholic about her experience during the three-day affair.
“Meeting with our state legislators allows the opportunity to not only share our Catholic values and stance on life issues, but it also gives us an opportunity to listen to them and pray for them,” said Culture of Life director Leidy Rivas. “These conversations, done with charity and love, may open the doors for conversion of hearts,” The Florida Catholic quoted Rivas saying.
Meanwhile, Corpus Christi Parish seminarian John Triolo explained that he went to the event with zero expectations about what he would experience. Triolo told the news outlet he discovered the gathering seemed like “a mini pilgrimage.”
Florida State University law school student Derwin Sanchez revealed a classmate had informed him about the event.
Sanchez explained that when he learned participants could engage state lawmakers in a discussion about relevant legislative matters linked with Catholics’ concerns.
Fruits of Catholic Days at the Capitol
The same report mentioned that the three-day interaction between Orlando Catholics and state legislators yielded positive outcomes.
Among such results was the drafting of House Bill 7/Senate Bill 300, which bans abortion when the fetus in the mother’s womb is already six weeks old.
“I think it’s great. Obviously the ideal is to be protected from conception, but if we can end abortion incrementally, that’s still a worthy goal,” Sanchez, a parishioner at the Most Precious Blood parish in Oviedo, explained.
Overall, he said Capitol Days exceeded everything he expected. The law student noted his appreciation of the exchange.
Sanchez’s participation in the Catholic Days at the Capitol activity was highly relevant to him, given his plan to do pro-bono life litigation when he graduates and passes the State Bar. The news outlet said Sanchez studies civil and criminal appeals at the Florida State University law school.
About the Catholic Diocese of Orlando
According to its website, the Catholic Diocese of Orlando began in June 1968.
The diocese has two basilicas, 11 missions, 80 parishes, and 36 diocesan schools.
The Most Rev. John Noonan, Orlando’s fifth bishop, currently heads the diocese.
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