Catholic Bishops Ask Governor to Break the Cycle of Violence                 Perpetuated by State Sanctioned Executions

Tallahassee – We ask you, Governor Crist, to set a new standard of decency for the State of Florida by abandoning executions and commuting death row sentences to life in prison without possibility of parole. We do not condone the actions of Wayne Tompkins, scheduled for execution February 11, that resulted in the death of Lisa DeCarr. We ask that you replace the violence of death by execution with life long imprisonment in the penal system as a way to protect society and ensure punishment for offenders.

We pray for healing for Ms. DeCarr’s family and friends who have suffered the pain of losing their loved one. No punishment, no matter how severe, can ever erase the grief caused by her wrongful death.

While it is the duty of the Governor to uphold the laws, you have the singular ability to change the course of action to be taken by the state in death penalty cases. In pursuing justice for victims of violent crimes, the state must not be blinded by politics that diminish human dignity and the sacredness of all life, including that of convicted criminals.

Governor Crist, Florida should join the ranks of other states which have abandoned executions because they have not been a deterrent to crime and have raised serious concerns about fairness of sentencing in the justice system.

Please spare the life of Wayne Tompkins and allow him to be punished by life in prison without possibility of parole.

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