Catholics Across the Aisle

Sara Johnson, statewide grassroots director for Vote No on 4 Florida, and Michele Taylor, FCCB's associate director for communications, discuss the extreme and deceptive Amendment 4, which would allow late-term abortions and eliminate protections for women and minors seeking abortions. Learn why Floridians should vote no on Amendment 4.

Bishop Erik T. Pohlmeier is Florida’s newest bishop, having just celebrated his first year as shepherd of the Diocese of St. Augustine. 

In this episode, get to know more about Bishop Pohlmeier, from his upbringing in rural Arkansas, to discerning his vocation, to his adventures in the past two decades of his priestly ministry. 

Michael Sheedy, FCCB executive director, also speaks with the bishop about the episcopal role and his vision for the future. 

Michael Sheedy, FCCB's executive director, and Christie Arnold, associate for social concerns and respect life, discuss a response to immigration that is based in scripture, Catholic teaching, and respect for human dignity. 

Immigration policy has been a controversial topic, especially here in Florida where SB 1718 was recently signed into law. Michael and Christie unpack the potential consequences and legal challenges surrounding this new legislation. 

The Florida legislature passed several bills aimed at countering the harms of gender ideology during the 2023 session. Michael Sheedy, FCCB executive director, and Michael Barrett, associate for education, explain these bills and the important role of public policy in protecting our schools and communities from the consequences of gender ideologies. 

FCCB’s policy team debriefs on Florida’s 2023 legislative session. Listen to executive director Michael Sheedy, and policy associates Mike Barrett and Christie Arnold, recap some of the notable bills passed by lawmakers. Significant achievements include advancing protections for the unborn, historic school choice expansion and several bills aimed at shielding youth from the harms of gender ideology. 

Legislators also approved bills that were opposed by the FCCB, including bills expanding application of the death penalty and an anti-immigration measure. 

 FCCB executive director Michael Sheedy and policy experts Christie Arnold and Mike Barrett sit down to discuss some of the bills currently being considered by lawmakers at the Florida Capitol, from a pro-life initiative that will limit abortion to the first six weeks of pregnancy, bills protecting minors from the harms of gender ideology, to a sweeping school choice bill that was already passed and signed by the Governor.  Grab a cup of coffee and listen to the update on these and other important bills advancing in the 2023 Florida legislative session. 

Barbara Samuells, president and co-founder of Catholics for Freedom of Religion joins Michael Sheedy to discuss the longstanding history and principle of religious freedom in America. Certain policies and ideas continue to threaten freedom of religion today, even in places such as schools and hospitals. Barbara and Michael discuss some of these threats and what the laity can do in their local parishes and communities to defend religious freedom. 

In the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned, how can the Church renew its commitment to supporting families and mothers in need? What is the state of legal protection for the unborn in Florida, and what further restrictions could we expect the legislature to consider in 2023? Michael Sheedy, FCCB's executive director, and Christie Arnold, associate for social concerns and respect life, answer these questions and more in this episode of Catholics Across the Aisle. 

Maria DeLiberato, Executive Director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP), joins Michael Sheedy to discuss ongoing efforts to end the death penalty and raise awareness of its injustice. 

Maria was part of the legal team that worked to exonerate Clemente Aguirre, who was wrongly convicted and sentenced to death in 2006. Maria outlines the details and her involvement in the frustrating legal battle that took place before Aguirre’s conviction was finally overturned in 2018. Michael and Maria also discuss what policy efforts may be anticipated in the upcoming 2023 legislative session and the importance of protecting people with serious mental illness from receiving a death sentence. 

Find more information about FADP at https://www.fadp.org/ 

Corporal Alan Wilkett, retired, Pasco County Sherriff’s Department, shares from his years of professional experience working to prevent human trafficking. Florida is the third highest state for reported human trafficking cases. The numbers are overwhelming, yet there are ways that we can better protect those we love. Learn how you and your faith community can work to end the scourge of human trafficking and support survivors.

 This episode of Catholics Across the Aisle was recorded live as a presentation at the 2022 Florida Culture of Life Conference, hosted by the Diocese of St. Petersburg. The audio has been edited and formatted for this podcast. Due to the sensitive nature of this topic, this podcast is suitable for mature audiences only.