Amendment 4, a dangerous and misleading amendment that seeks to drastically expand abortion in Florida, will appear on the ballot in the fall.
If passed, this amendment would allow late-term abortions and jeopardize health and safety protections for women and minors. It removes doctors from the abortion decision, includes a broad “health” loophole, and eliminates parental consent.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane, and all of the Florida Bishops, have been outspoken against Amendment 4. The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops has released several statements explaining the danger to Floridians should Amendment 4 pass (Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops at (https://www.flaccb.org/abortion-amendment).
Most recently, during the Aug. 30, 2024, show on Relevant Radio, “Witnessing Faith with Bishop Dewane,” Bishop Dewane discusses the dangers of Amendment 4 with Michele Taylor, Associate Director for Communications for the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Karen Schwarz, Director of Communications for the Diocese of Venice. Listen to their brief discussion (30 minutes) and learn the facts!
The show examines the misleading language in Amendment 4, and its real meaning. You can hear simply stated and straightforward reasons why you should Vote No on Amendment 4, even for those who think abortion should be legal in some circumstances. Abortion is already legal in Florida, and the current law includes many exceptions for extenuating circumstances. There is simply no need to expand an already expansive abortion law in the state! Amendment 4 is not what it seems, and it’s way too extreme. Listen to the show on Relevant Radio Aug. 30, at 8:30 a.m., on 1410 AM and 106.7 FM in Fort Myers, and 1660 AM and 93.3 FM in Naples, or listen anytime via the Diocesan of website, at https://dioceseofvenice.org/our-bishop/relevant-radio-podcasts/
State Supreme Court Adds Warning to Ballot!
On Aug. 21, 2024, Florida’s Supreme Court voted to add an explanatory note to the misleading ballot language of Amendment 4. The Court approved the Financial Impact Estimating Statement re-written by state economists in July, and the resulting paragraph will now follow Amendment 4 on the ballot so voters can read the potential impact of this extreme amendment. Importantly, the statement informs voters that Amendment 4 could force Florida taxpayers to subsidize elective abortions if Amendment 4 passes in November! The paragraph that will now follow Amendment 4 on the ballot can be found below:
Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion (23-07)
The proposed amendment would result in significantly more abortions and fewer live births per year in Florida. The increase in abortions could be even greater if the amendment invalidates laws requiring parental consent before minors undergo abortions and those ensuring only licensed physicians perform abortions. There is also uncertainty about whether the amendment will require the state to subsidize abortions with public funds. Litigation to resolve those and other uncertainties will result in additional costs to the state government and state courts that will negatively impact the state budget. An increase in abortions may negatively affect the growth of state and local revenues over time. Because the fiscal impact of increased abortions on state and local revenues and costs cannot be estimated with precision, the total impact of the proposed amendment is indeterminate.
For the faithful who want to be better informed about Amendment 4, the Diocesan website has numerous resources, including a video message and frequently asked questions, as well as links to the earlier Florida Catholic stories. To find this information, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/offices/offices-departments/respect-life/amendment4/.
Below is a prayer, courtesy of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, seeking the defeat of Amendment 4.
Prayer to Defeat Florida’s Abortion Amendment
Ever-living God, you give life and desire a future for all your children. Take hold of our nation, state, and community and awaken in every heart awe for the gift of life. Send your Spirit to strengthen us with wisdom and fortitude as we defend mothers and children in Florida from laws that disregard their health and safety.
Mary and Joseph trusted in you and welcomed Jesus into our broken world. God Almighty, we ask their intercession to protect the preborn and their mothers, and to guide all parents in raising their children. May they help us build a civilization of love by upholding the sacredness of life and accompanying pregnant women in need. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Our Lady, Mother of the Family, pray for us!
St. Joseph, Protector of the Unborn, pray for us!
Oremos Para Derrotar la Enmienda del Aborto en Florida
Dios eterno: Tú das la vida y deseas un futuro para todos tus hijos. Apodérate de nuestra nación, estado y comunidad, y despierta en cada corazón la admiración por el regalo de la vida. Envía tu Espíritu para reforzarnos con sabiduría y fortaleza mientras defendemos a las madres y a los niños de Florida de las leyes que desprecian su salud y su seguridad.
María y José confiaron en ti y recibieron a Jesús en nuestro mundo quebrantado. Dios todopoderoso, pedimos que ellos intercedan para proteger a los niños por nacer y a sus madres, y dirigir a todos los padres y madres en la crianza de sus hijos. Que nos ayuden a construir la civilización del amor al defender el carácter sagrado de la vida y acompañar a las mujeres embarazadas que así lo necesiten. Te lo pedimos por Cristo, nuestro Señor. Amén.
Nuestra Señora, Madre de la Familia, ¡ruega por nosotros!
San José, Protector de los No Nacidos, ¡ruega por nosotros!
Courtesy of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops
History of the Catholic Church and The State
On July 17, 1984, the Diocese of Venice was erected by St. John Paul II from parts of the Archdiocese of Miami, Diocese of Orlando and the Diocese of St. Petersburg. To celebrate the occasion of the Diocese’s 40th anniversary, the staff of the Diocesan Catholic Center gathered with Bishop Frank J. Dewane for a group photo in front of the Chancery on July 26, 2024, and then attended a special Mass for the staff, celebrated by Bishop Dewane, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center. A celebratory luncheon followed.
The podcast of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholics Across the Aisle: Commentary on Public Policy and Civic Life, brings a non-partisan moral voice to public dialogue on key policy issues of the day and assists listeners to become educated and active participants in civic life. The podcast’s latest episode focuses on the urgent issue of Amendment 4. Sara Johnson, statewide grassroots director for 
Watch a short video which is offered for the faithful to learn the facts about Amendment 4, a dangerous and misleading amendment which will appear on the ballot in the fall. To learn more, visit 
The Fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will take place July 28, 2024, and those Catholics who participate will be eligible for a Plenary Indulgence. The World Day is celebrated annually on the fourth Sunday of July, close to the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the foster grandparents of Jesus. The theme this year is “Do not cast me off in my old age.” (Ps 71:9). A Plenary Indulgence offers remission of the temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven, which can be applied to oneself or to the souls in Purgatory. The Indulgence will be granted to grandparents, the elderly, and all faithful who “motivated by a true spirit of penance and charity” will participate in the various functions to be held for the Day throughout the world. It will also be extended to those who dedicate significant time to visit—either in-person or by virtual means of communication—their elderly brothers and sisters who are in need or facing difficulties, such as the sick, abandoned, and those with disabilities. It is also available to the elderly sick and all those who, unable to leave their homes for a serious reason, will unite themselves spiritually to the sacred functions of the World Day, offering their prayers, pains, or sufferings to God, especially during the various celebrations which will be broadcast through the media. The Indulgence is subject to the usual conditions of sacramental Confession, reception of the Eucharist, and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father.
Every day, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., serves in the 10 counties that constitute the Diocese of Venice the most vulnerable population by feeding, housing, empowering, and helping all in need. This summer, you can be the one that makes a difference. Your acts of kindness have the power to transform lives and leave a positive impact in our community. The Catholic Charities “Summertime and the Giving is Easy” Appeal is asking for your support. Any gift will make a positive impact on our less fortunate brothers and sisters! To donate to Summertime and the Giving is Easy Campaign, please visit 
The amendment, which needs a 60 percent super majority to pass, is vaguely worded and was even required to be reviewed by the state Supreme Court regarding its misleading language before it was allowed to appear on the ballot. The Supreme Court ultimately decided that the language was coherent enough to appear on the ballot, and will appear as below:
Amendment 4 is an extreme proposal, essentially allowing abortion at any time for any reason, completely and dangerously unregulated. Since abortion is already legal in the state, with exceptions allowing access to abortion in a multitude of circumstances, this amendment to our state constitution is unnecessary, and has caused some confusion among Floridians. Further, the language of Amendment 4 is misleading, open to misinterpretation, and can be confusing in itself. The truth is, Amendment 4 is not what it seems, and it’s way too extreme, even for those who believe abortion should be legal in some circumstances.
Many are under the wrong general impression about Amendment 4, believing that it would simply restore Florida back to when Roe v. Wade was in effect. This is not true. The fact is that Amendment 4 goes dangerously beyond what was permitted in the Roe v. Wade ruling. It would eliminate important health and safety measures that protect women, remove parental consent for any minor seeking an abortion, and allow for abortion through the third trimester of pregnancy. Further, it would make our state one of the most pro-abortion states in the nation. Four strong reasons to vote NO on Amendment 4!
“For those who think abortion should be legal, it already is, in the state of Florida,” Espenscheid said. “The Heartbeat Protection Law is a reasonable law and restricts abortion but for those circumstances which we know most people – even some Catholics – feel should be considered. There is no need to expand the law and remove the commonsense protections for women, and minors, that are currently in place.”
Ever-living God, you give life and desire a future for all your children. Take hold of our nation, state, and community and awaken in every heart awe for the gift of life. Send your Spirit to strengthen us with wisdom and fortitude as we defend mothers and children in Florida from laws that disregard their health and safety.
