Louisiana Bishops Make Statement on Pending Execution

Friday, 08 February 2013 08:00

(EDITOR'S NOTE: U.S. District Judge James Brady of the Middle District of Louisiana  stayed the scheduled execution pending more information on the state's lethal injection protocol.) The Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops (LCCB), which encompasses the seven Catholic dioceses of Louisiana, today issued a statement strongly opposing the scheduled execution of Christopher Sepulvado on February 13, which is also observed as Ash Wednesday for Christians, at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. Citing Catholic Social Teaching and “The Catechism of the Catholic Church,” the LCCB statement urged Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and the Louisiana Parole/Pardon Board to halt Sepulvado's execution. While Sepulvado's “evil and tragic” actions in killing his stepson Wesley Mercer cannot in any way be condoned, the bishops write, “we acknowledge the Christian power of reconciliation and redemption which Christopher has embraced. He has expressed remorse for his actions while at the same time embracing his faith and ministering to his fellow inmates.” The bishops added that “human dignity does not discriminate between those who are innocent and those who are guilty. “Because ‘non-lethal means’ - such as a life sentence without a chance for parole - are available to protect society from an aggressor, 'the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity are very rare, if practically non-existent.'” The full LCCB statement follows: We are called by the foundational theme of Catholic Social Teaching – The Life and Dignity of the Human Person – to affirm that human dignity does not discriminate between those who are innocent and those who are guilty. Instead, it is a gift that is freely and undeservedly bestowed on us by our Creator, and not to be taken away by humanity The Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, therefore, strongly opposes the scheduled execution of Christopher Sepulvado on February 13, which is also observed as Ash Wednesday for Christians. Blessed Pope John Paul II illuminated this tenet of human dignity in Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life). He rightly proclaims “that not even a murderer loses his personal dignity, as God himself pledges to guarantee this. For this reason whoever attacks human life, in some way attacks God himself.” (Evangelium Vitae, #9) In this regard, the Church and society are challenged to consistently speak against any assault on human life, including the practice of state-sanctioned killing. The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls us to acknowledge both the rights that states possess in protecting its citizenry, as well as the appropriateness of the punishment it uses to do so. “If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people’s safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means…Today, ... the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity are very rare, if not practically non-existent.” (CCC 2267) We in no way condone the actions of Christopher Sepulvado. His actions were evil and tragic, and we lament the resulting death of Wesley Mercer. At the same time, we acknowledge the Christian power of reconciliation and redemption which Christopher has embraced. He has expressed remorse for his actions while at the same time embracing his faith and ministering to his fellow inmates. Executing Christopher will not bring Wesley back to life, nor will it provide healing, reconciliation, or peace to those involved. We offer prayer for and solidarity with those family members impacted by this crime, as we do for all family members of victims of violent crime and murder. The Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops asks that Gov. Bobby Jindal, along with the Louisiana Parole/Pardon Board, halt the execution of Christopher Sepulvado. To execute a faithful Catholic on Ash Wednesday would be inconsistent with the Lenten call for reconciliation and redemption and an unnecessary tragic irony.