For Immediate Release
Monday, August 17, 2009
CATHOLIC BISHOPS: EVERY LIFE
HAS DIGNITY
Tallahassee -
We, the Bishops of Florida, plead
with you, Governor Crist, to stay the execution of Richard Marek
scheduled for August 19, 2009. Even those who have done great
harm are human beings with dignity, created in the image and
likeness of God. Life in prison without possibility of parole
satisfies the need for punishment and allows the inmate the
opportunity to reflect on their offenses and feel sorrow for the
pain they have caused others.
Executions do not make society
safer nor act as a deterrent but add to the violence we
experience daily in society, numbing us to the truth that every
human being has worth. You have the ability to stop the
intentional killing of the people on death row by commuting
death sentences to life in prison without possibility of parole.
We express our genuine sympathy
for the victim, Adella Marie Simmons, and her loved ones. The
media attention surrounding executions brings back the pain
experienced by victims through the recounting of the crime
details. The death of the convicted does not heal the wounds of
those grieving the loss of a family member or friend.
Governor, many states are
reconsidering their use of the death penalty as the solution to
punish those guilty of heinous crimes. We implore you to
commute Mr. Marek’s sentence to life in prison without
possibility of parole and declare a moratorium on executions in
Florida.
Archbishop
John C. Favalora
Bishop Victor Galeone
Bishop Robert N. Lynch
Archdiocese of Miami Diocese of St.
Augustine Diocese of St.
Petersburg
Bishop
Thomas G. Wenski Bishop John H. Ricard,
SSJ Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito
Diocese of Orlando
Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee
Diocese of Palm Beach
Bishop
Frank J. Dewane Auxiliary Bishop Felipe J.
Estevez Auxiliary Bishop John G. Noonan
Diocese of Venice Archdiocese
of Miami Archdiocese of
Miami
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