The Florida Catholic Conference appeals to Governor Rick Scott to commute the sentence of Eddie Wayne Davis to life in prison without the possibility of parole. We join in prayer for the condemned, his victim and their families. Mr. Davis is scheduled to be executed at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2014, for the 1994 Polk County murder of 11-year-old Kimberly Shultz, his girlfriends daughter. The Conference acknowledges the gravity of the crimes for which Mr. Davis has been found guilty and supports the need for strict sentencing in cases of violent crime. However, taking another life perpetuates the cycle of violence and vengeance. A life sentence without possibility of parole imparts a severe and just punishment while maintaining protection for society. We have consistently called for a culture of life that respects the inherent dignity of all persons, including those on death row and others who have done great harm. The Gospel reminds us that it is easy to love those who love us and do good to those who have done good to us. Yet we are called to love your enemies and do good to them. The Lord himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as [also] your Father is merciful. (Luke 6:35-36) Catholic faithful and members of the community are invited to gather in solidarity at the following times and locations to pray for the victims of violent crimes and their families, for persons on death row awaiting execution, and for an end to the use of the death penalty Diocese of Orlando A prayer service will be held at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 526 North Park Avenue, Winter Park, FL on Wednesday, July 9 at 5:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at Resurrection Parish, 3855 S. Florida Avenue, Lakeland on Thursday, July 10 at 5:30 p.m. A prayer vigil will be held at St. Patricks Catholic Church, 6803 Old Highway 441 South, Mount Dora on Wednesday, July 9 at 11:00am. A bus will be leaving from the parking lot of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 201 University Blvd., Daytona Beach on July 10 at 2:30 p.m. for a prayer service outside of the prison in Starke at 6:00 p.m. Contact: Office of Advocacy and Justice, (407) 246-4819, [email protected].
Posted on: Wed, 09 Jul 2014 13:11:01 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015