In the News

Get Out The Vote

I’m reaching out on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Sarasota County to invite your organization to be a community partner in our upcoming #BECOUNTED Get Out the Vote campaign for the August 18 primary election. We’re not asking you to take a political position — just to share simple, nonpartisan information that helps Sarasota residents know when and how to vote. Please help us to amplify this message to the community you serve.

To make participation as easy as possible, we’ve put together a free toolkit with ready-to-use assets, including:

·       Social media graphics and suggested captions

·       A newsletter-ready banner and copy block

·       Flyers (printable and digital)

·       Email templates your team can forward directly to your audience

Everything lives at our GOTV toolkit page: Get Out the Vote – League of Women Voters of Sarasota County

The toolkit has everything you need to get started right away. If you have questions or need help, please contact me.

Thank you so much for all that your organization does — we truly appreciate the chance to work together for an informed, engaged Sarasota and to Get Out the Vote!

Important Reminder: The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan public policy organization that encourages informed and active participation in government. The League does not support or oppose political candidates or parties. The only requirement for using these resources is that the campaign must remain nonpartisan. If you are promoting or opposing candidates or parties, these materials are not for your use. Thank you for respecting our nonpartisan policy.

In League,

Vilia Johnson

Co-President, League of Women Voters of Sarasota County
Vilia@LWVSRQ.org.

Pope Leo XIV names immigrant advocate bishop in Florida’s Diocese of Venice

The Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Washington, D.C., was founded more than 100 years ago by Irish, Italian, and German immigrants. The church, located less than 3 miles from the White House, continues to serve a mostly immigrant congregation — more than 5,500 strong — with most from El Salvador and others from Haiti, Brazil, and Vietnam.

“[But] about half the people are afraid to come,” the Rev. Emilio Biosca Agüero, the church’s pastor, told the Associated Press in October.

More than 40 members of Sacred Heart have been detained, deported, or both since federal authorities stepped up enforcement of the Trump administration’s immigration policy in August, according to the AP.

“Our role here at the church has changed, also dramatically,” Biosca told the AP. “Because we have so many people who are adversely affected by [immigration enforcement], we cannot possibly go on as business as usual.”

On May 13, Biosca was named Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Venice by Pope Leo XIV. He succeeds the Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane, 76, whose retirement was announced on Wednesday after 20 years at the helm. With Dewane at his side, Biosca, 61, was introduced as the third bishop of the Diocese of Venice at a press conference on Wednesday at the diocese’s Catholic Center.

Support for immigrants

As Sacred Heart pastor, Father Biosca played a leading role in marking the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, including a September procession organized by the Archdiocese of Washington that began at Sacred Heart. In an interview with the Catholic Standard, Biosca said his parish has always kept its doors open to migrant families.

“It doesn’t matter where they come from, or what language they speak, we know they are brothers and we welcome them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,” he said.

In the Venice diocese, which serves 10 counties in Southwest Florida, Biosca will inherit another culturally diverse congregation of more than 250,000 Catholics, including a large Hispanic membership. Biosca served as a missionary in Cuba from 2007 to 2019.

“A son of an immigrant family with seven children, Bishop-elect is enthusiastic, with a strong pastoral spirit and particular devotion to the Virgin Mary and to serving the People of God,” Dewane said. “Our new Bishop is coming to a diocese that is growing at a rapid pace with families and individuals who evidence a vibrant faith and diverse backgrounds. It has been a great joy for me to have ministered here.”

Biosca, who was born in Fairfax, Virginia, is a member of the Pittsburgh-based Capuchin Franciscan Friars of the Province of Saint Augustine. He has been a pastor at Sacred Heart since 2019.

“I wish to express sincere gratitude to Bishop Dewane, who has faithfully shepherded this local church for 20 years,” Biosca said. “His pastoral charity, generous heart, and warm welcome have already been a great gift to me. I look forward to continuing to seek his guidance as I begin this ministry.”

Missionary work in Cuba

In Cuba, Biosca was assigned to the Capuchin Fraternity of Cristo de Limpias in Havana in 2007. He also served Iglesia Jesús de Miramar in Havana (2007-08); Iglesia La Divina Pastora in Santa Clara (2008-11); and Iglesia La Purísima Concepción in Manzanillo (2011-19). 

“Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has given a great gift of grace and leadership to the people of the Diocese of Venice,” Cardinal Robert McElroy, Archbishop of Washington, said in a statement. “He has the faith and witness that attracts men and women to the person of Jesus Christ. … The Bishop-elect has the tender heart of a true Shepherd, and has made the Shrine of the Sacred Heart a true haven of compassion.”

The appointment makes Biosca the second Capuchin Franciscan bishop serving in the U.S., along with Bishop Matthew G. Elshoff, auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“I look forward to entering into the life of this local church, to know its people, to understand its history, to appreciate its customs and traditions, and to learn the events that have shaped the spiritual character of this region,” Biosca said. “I hope to discover not only the history written in books and archives, but also the living history preserved in families, parishes, neighborhoods, and their witness to Christ.”

Biosca joined the Capuchin Franciscans in 1987. He entered the religious order on Aug. 17, 1991, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 21, 1994. His assignments after ordination included serving as a missionary in Papua New Guinea (1994-2006), where he learned to speak Tok Pisin, a Creole language.

Biosca earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Borromeo College in Ohio (1987) and a master’s degree in theology and divinity (1992) from Oblate College in Washington. He also studied at the John Paul II Institute in Washington (2004-07), earning a licentiate in sacred theology.

“To the priests of the Diocese of Venice, my principal and closest collaborators, I offer my fraternal greetings and deep respect,” Biosca said. “I look forward to meeting with you in small groups and individually, praying with you, listening, and serving with you.”

The Diocese of Venice was established by Pope John Paul II in 1984 with Bishop John Nevins (1932–2014), who served 23 years and oversaw significant growth.

“Today, the Catholic Church in the United States stands at an important and historic moment as the new edition of the Liturgy of the Hours is prepared for distribution,” Biosca said. ” I am eager to listen to creative initiatives that will help us receive this new edition fruitfully … In rediscovering the beauty of the Church’s daily prayer, may we deepen our communion with Christ and strengthen the spiritual foundations of our mission.”

Civil Rights Lawyer to Discuss
Threat Posed by Christian Nationalism

Amanda Tyler, a prominent civil rights attorney and author, conducted a virtual town hall meeting at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Naar Hall in Venice. Her presentation was titled “Is Christian Nationalism a Threat to Your Personal and Religious Freedom?” She is also the executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty (BJC).

Tyler, who lives in Texas, is the author of the book “How to End Christian Nationalism” and has also been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and other
leading news publications. She has also testified before the U.S. Congress, appeared on prominent television talk shows, and co-hosts the podcast.
“Respecting Religion,” with the BJC. Following the presentation, there will be a live discussion with four area ministers: Rev. Joseph Hudson, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Sarasota; Rev. Ken Lenz, Christ Lutheran Church, Englewood; Rev. J.T. Priar, Church of the Trinity MCC, Sarasota; and Rev. Amy Petrie Shaw, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Venice.
The separation of church and state is embedded in the U.S Constitution. As such, the United States was the first explicitly secular nation in history. Christian Nationalism, as defined by Wikipedia, is a political initiative to reshape the federal government of the United States and concentrate executive power in favor of right-wing policies.  That includes the notion that America was founded as a Christian nation and its laws should reflect Biblical principles. It therefore threatens the separation of church and state as promised in the U.S. Constitution. 
Tyler graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University and earned a law degree with honors from the University of Texas. She is a member of the bar in Texas
and with the U.S. Supreme Court. 
This event was sponsored by the Suncoast Citizens for Separation of Church and State and the Social Justice
Alliance of Suncoast Florida.
The event was free and open to the public.

Venice Gondolier article about Banned Books Week and our event on Sept. 28th, 2025.

P.S. One positive new development is that we are now Family-Friendly: we will be offering childcare, children’s activities, banned book aloud, a kids’ sing-along with my musician/children’s librarian wife, Vicki, and safe outside playtime.

Banned Books Week

Featured Speakers

Liz Barker

Jennifer Jenkins

Martha Bireda

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EDUCATED WE STAND Video

CSPAN Washington Journal- Educated We Stand Jennifer Jenkins

POLITICS NATION AL SHARPTON- Jennifer Jenkins Educated We Stand

10/30/23 SJAFS, MySuncoast News

ABC, 7/21/23, Jennifer Jenkins, Introducing VP Kamala Harris in Jacksonville. Vice President Kamala Harris visits Jacksonville to speak against the new state curriculum (youtube.com

MSNBC, 10/14/21, The Far-Right Moms Fighting the School Board Wars: Florida School Board Member Details Terrifying Harassment by Anti-Maskers (youtube.com