By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO | Office of the Governor
Gov. Rick Scott gathers with all of Florida's bishops and staff members of the Florida Catholic Conference, the bishops' non-partisan lobbying arm in Tallahassee.
Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO | Office of the Governor
Archbishop Thomas Wenski, Bishop Frank Dewane of Venice and Bishop Felipe Estevez of St. Augustine speak with Florida's Gov. Rick Scott.
The bishops of the state and staff from the Florida Catholic Conference, the bishops� non-partisan public policy voice, also met with the governor, Rick Scott, and Archbishop Wenski delivered the opening prayer at the state senate.
The bishops also presented the annual Defensor Vitae (Defender of Life) award to state Sen. Ronda Storms (R-Brandon) and Rep. Dennis Baxley (R-Ocala).
Catholic Days at the Capitol concludes with the annual Red Mass concelebrated by the bishops of Florida and attended by state officials, lawmakers, judges and members of the Catholic Lawyers Guild. The Red Mass is celebrated to pray for those working in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. The homilist at this year�s Mass, celebrated at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More, was Bishop William E. Lori of Bridgeport, Conn., who heads the U.S. bishops� Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty.
Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO
Archbishop Thomas Wenski poses for a photo with members of the Miami delegation to Catholic Days at the Capitol.
