I Was In Prison Online Prison Ministry Newsletter February 18, 2009

Dale S. Recinella, Catholic Lay Chaplain, Florida Death Row and Solitary Confinement Susan M. Recinella, Clinical Psychologist for mentally ill adults, and Catholic Lay Minister to Families of the Executed Catholic Bishops Ask Governor to Break the Cycle of Violence Perpetuated by State Sanctioned Executions By: The Florida Catholic Conference 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 Archdiocese of Miami Bishop Victor Galeone Diocese of St. Augustine Bishop Robert N. Lynch Diocese of St. Petersburg Bishop Thomas G. Wenski Diocese of Orlando Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ Diocese of Pensacola/Tallahassee Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito, JCL Diocese of Palm Beach Bishop Frank J. Dewane Diocese of Venice Auxiliary Bishop Felipe J. Estévez Archdiocese of Miami Auxiliary Bishop John G. Noonan Archdiocese of Miami The Florida Catholic Conference 201 W. Park Avenue Tallahassee, FL 32301-7760 ph. 850-222-3803 www.flacathconf.org © 2009 The Florida Catholic Conference Used with permission. All rights reserved No further reproduction or republication without prior written permission. www.iwasinprison.org I Was In Prison News & Updates Email:   This ezine is targeted for people involved in prison ministry or in stopping the death penalty, we think you will find helpful information for people who are undecided about capital punishment, for those who have never experienced the inside of a jail or prison, and for those who feel called to participate through prayer and adoration. Your name and information will never be used or shared with anyone. We promise! Dale S. Recinella, Catholic Lay Chaplain, Florida Death Row and Solitary Confinement Susan M. Recinella, Clinical Psychologist for mentally ill adults, and Catholic Lay Minister to Families of the Executed

If you Like this Weekly Ezine - You will love Dale's Book! Sr. Patricia Proctor

Paperback: 433 pages Excellent book on the topic!, June 13, 2005 Nathan Eanes (Review from Amazon.com) The Biblical Truth about America's Death Penalty is a must-read. It deals with Biblical standards of Capital Punishment and then compares them to the system used in America today. It is the best-researched, most faithful to scripture, and most evenhanded analysis I have ever read concerning the Death Penalty. Whatever your persuasion on the issue, this book will teach you a great deal. Recinella is a trained lawyer and committed Christian who now volunteers part-time on Florida's death row. He thus understands law, the Bible, and the system of execution in America. I challenge anyone who supports the Death Penalty to read this book. This ezine edited by Sister Patricia Proctor, OSC - Poor Clare Sister to support the IWasInPrison Outreach