Miami archdiocese sets prayer vigil to protest convict's execution
CWN - December 11, 2012
The Archdiocese of Miami has organized a prayer vigil for December 11, as prison officials in Florida prepare to execute a convicted killer, Manuel Pardo, Jr.
“Recourse to the death penalty is both cruel and unnecessary,” said Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami. “Modern society has the means of protecting itself. We do not make the case that killing is wrong by killing.”
Pardo was convicted of killing 9 people in a 1986 crime spree. A former police office, the convicted killer said that his victims were involved in drug trafficking, and he was helping society by eliminating them. Characterizing himself as a “soldier,” Pardo told jurors at his trial that he had “accomplished my mission” and preferred execution to a lifetime in prison.
The Catholic bishops of Florida issued a statement making the opposite argument:
Recognizing that Manuel Pardo, Jr. wrongfully killed instead of pursuing legal means to arrest persons violating the law, the Catholic Bishops of Florida continue to speak out against the violence of execution and plead for life in prison without possibility of parole for Mr. Pardo.
Additional sources for this story
Some links will take you to other sites, in a new window.
|
An appeal from our founder, Dr. Jeffrey Mirus: Dear reader: If you found the information on this page helpful in your pursuit of a better Catholic life, please support our work with a donation. Your donation will help us reach five million Truth-seeking readers worldwide this year. Thank you! |
Progress toward our June expenses ($15,085 to go):
$30,000.00
$14,914.93
50%
50%
|
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
