Bishop officials in Florida once more petition Governor DeSantis for mercy, regarding the impending execution scheduled

In a recent development, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) has appealed to Governor Ron DeSantis to grant a stay of execution for Curtis Windom, who is scheduled to be put to death on August 28 at Florida State Prison in Raiford.

The FCCB's plea is rooted in the sacredness of human life, a principle espoused by Saint Pope John Paul II, who stated that the dignity of every human life must never be taken away, even in the case of someone who has committed heinous crimes.

Windom was convicted of killing Johnnie Lee, Valerie Davi, and Mary Lubin in 1992 and sentenced to death. However, concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of his counsel during the trial, with his attorney later being disbarred due to multiple DUI arrests. Additionally, Windom's mental illness and impairment were not properly evaluated prior to his trial.

The FCCB's letter to Governor DeSantis, penned by Michael Sheedy, the FCCB's executive director, emphasises the sanctity of every human life. Sheedy wrote, "Every human life is sacred, and we believe that the dignity of every person must be protected, even in the most difficult of circumstances."

The FCCB is not alone in its stance against Windom's execution. The Catholic Mobilizing Network, a group that advocates for the abolition of capital punishment, has also joined the call, urging Florida's officials to turn away from capital punishment. The network, in a statement, expressed its opposition to every execution, including Windom's.

The coalition urging Governor DeSantis to delay Windom's execution includes the Community of Sant’Egidio, along with other voices, and notably, the victim's family, who oppose the execution on their behalf.

The FCCB has, in the past, routinely appealed to Governor DeSantis to reverse course on capital punishment. Governor DeSantis, who is Catholic, has yet to respond publicly to the FCCB's latest appeal.

As the scheduled execution date approaches, the Catholic Mobilizing Network is urging supporters to contact Governor DeSantis and Florida's Office of Executive Clemency to stop Windom's execution. The network believes that the state of Florida can demonstrate its commitment to the sanctity of human life by sparing Windom's life.

The Florida Supreme Court has rejected a last-minute appeal in Windom's case, allowing the scheduled Aug. 28 execution to proceed. However, the FCCB and the Catholic Mobilizing Network remain hopeful that Governor DeSantis will grant a stay of execution and spare Windom's life.

Bishop officials in Florida once more petition Governor DeSantis for mercy, regarding the impending execution scheduled