Faith Communities Pray for an End to the Use of the Death Penalty on the Night of a Scheduled Execution
A Prayer Vigil to abolish the death penalty will be held Thursday, Jan. 7 at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola. This vigil will begin a half hour before the scheduled 6 p.m. execution of death row inmate Oscar Ray Bolin, Jr. by the State of Florida for the 1986 murder of Teri Lynn Matthews. If carried out, Bolin would be the 23rd Death Row inmate executed under Governor Rick Scott's leadership. Bolin is serving a separate death sentence for the murder of Stephanie Collins and received a life sentence for the murder of Natalie Blanche Holley.
Catholic faithful and members of the community are invited to gather in solidarity to pray for the victims of violent crimes and their families, for persons on death row awaiting execution, and for the end of the use of the death penalty. Catholic Charities Respect Life Office in partnership with the Diocese of Palm Beach and Pax Christi will host a prayer service starting at 5:30 p.m. in the chapel of the Cathedral. The service will be followed by a procession and silent vigil in front of the Cathedral from 5:45 - 6:15 p.m.
In a January 5 letter on behalf of the bishops of Florida, Michael Sheedy, executive director, Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, appealed to Governor Scott to stop executions in Florida beginning with Oscar Bolin.
"Our society is increasingly aware of the flaws in the application of the death penalty, which is inconsistent, arbitrary and too often applied in error," stated Sheedy. "We note that last year, our nation marked a 25-year low in executions. Florida was one of only six states to carry out executions last year, and continues to lead the nation in the number of death row exonerations."
Sheedy noted Governor Scott's support for many pro-life measures during his tenure as governor. He urged the governor "to recognize that the life of each person has dignity and should be respected, even those who have done great harm."
The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops is an agency of the Catholic Bishops of Florida. It speaks for the Church in matters of public policy and serves as liaison to the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. The archbishop and bishops of the seven (arch)dioceses in Florida constitute its board of directors.
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Rosary & Prayer Planned for January 22 on the Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
Join Most Reverend Gerald M. Barbarito and other faithful at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 22 as we gather in prayer for the protection of the unborn child on the 43rd Anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. Bishop Barbarito will lead us in the rosary at the old courthouse in downtown West Palm Beach (corner of 3rd and N. Dixie). This event is sponsored by Catholic Charities Respect Life Office.
Free bus transportation from various locations is available this year. For those who would like to ride the bus, call Don Kazimir at 561-360-3330 (mornings). Bring lunch and a drink.
More details, map and parking instructions are available by calling the Respect Life Office at 561-360-3330 and on our online Calendar of Events.
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