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End Florida’s Death Penalty!
PCF is committed to bringing an end to Florida’s use of the Death Penalty…please support this effort!
Photo and list of Florida’s Exonerated Death Row Prisoners from FADP.
Exonerated Florida Death Row survivors Herman Lindsey #23 and Seth Penalver #24 after attending Service of Remembrance at State Capitol.
Note: Two more people have been exonerated since this photo was taken!
PRAY-STUDY-ACT
Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! – Deut. 30:19
PRAY
Using the following prayer pray by Sr. Helen Prejean, daily for those on death row; for the family and friends of their victims and for an end to Florida’s use of the death penalty.
God of Compassion,
You let your rain fall on the just and the unjust.
Expand and deepen our hearts
so that we may love as You love
even those among us
who have caused the greatest pain by taking life.
For there is in our land a great cry for vengeance
as we fill up death rows and kill the killers
in the name of justice, in the name of peace.
Jesus, our brother,
you suffered execution at the hands of the state
but you did not let hatred overcome you.
Help us to reach out to victims of violence
so that our enduring love may help them heal.
Holy Spirit of God,
You strengthen us in the struggle for justice.
Help us to work tirelessly
for the abolition of state-sanctioned death
and to renew our society in its very heart
so that violence will be no more.
Amen.
STUDY
Form a study group in your parish or community – familiarize yourself with the true facts about Florida death penalty. For death penalty resources:- U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (http://usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/death-penalty-capital-punishment/ )
- Florida Catholic Conference (http://www.flacathconf.org/lifeanddeath/deathpenalty/index.php
- Pax Christi Florida (https://paxchristiflorida.org/resources/)
ACT
Contact Gov. Scott – each one of us can make a difference. It is important that Gov. Scott hear from as many Floridians as possible.
Gov. Rick Scott The Capitol 400 S. Monroe St. Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: 850-488-7146 Fax: 850-487-0801 Email: Rick.Scott@eog.myflorida.com Write a Letter to the Editor– an effective way to reach thousands. Email or write letters to your local Catholic and secular newspapers with your concerns about Florida’s death penalty. It would be good to point out that Florida leads the nation in the number of condemned death row inmates who have been exonerated. Organize a Deathwatch Prayer Vigil – Gov. Scott is signing death warrants at an alarming rate! The time is NOW for those of us who oppose Florida’s death penalty to stand up and be counted! Bring your message to the streets whenever an execution is schedule to be carried out in the name of the people of State of Florida. Resources are available on Pax Christi Florida’s Resource Page (see above).
