Last words from Death Row
The sanctity of life is a seamless garment, as Cardinal Bernardin so accurately put it. Yet, too often, Catholics defending life in the womb condemn life on Death Row when they appoint themselves God and pretend they have the ultimate power to say who should die. The United States is the last “civilized” power that maintains its Bible Belt of death. It’s no coincidence that George W. Bush presided over more executions when he was the Governor of Texas than any other elected official.
CNN.com has collected some last words from America’s Death Row from Court TV’s files. These should make every Catholic think about the sanctity of life:
”There is no man that is free from all evil, nor any man that is so evil to be worth nothing.”
– David Castillo, executed in Texas on August 23, 1998
“Forgiveness: Giving up all hope for a better past.”
– Robert Lee Massie, executed in California on March 27, 2001
“Regardless of what might be seen or thought of what might be seen, there is still love, mercy and justice. Because God said that all that he has made is good and once you realize that and believe in that, everything will be fine.”
– Willie Ervin Fisher, executed in North Carolina on March 9, 2001
Several dedicated groups are working to end the death penalty in America. One that is faithful to the Magisterium and has very good newsletter is Catholics Against Capital Punishment. Although it wasn’t on CNN’s list of final words, some of the most potent words from Death Row came from Jesus when he said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”
January 1 is World Day of Peace, in addition to being Our Lady’s Day. It will be a good day to pray for an end to legalized murder in all forms in our nation.
