Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Catholic Conference urges Governor Scott to commute the sentence of Chadwick Banks, who is scheduled for execution on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Banks deserves severe punishment for the brutal acts of violence he inflicted upon his victims, Sandra Banks and Melody Cooper. Life in prison without the possibility of parole would serve this purpose.
The State has the right to carry out the death penalty if necessary to keep society safe from an unjust aggressor. However, justice can be served and society can be protected without resorting to the deliberate taking of a person’s life. We affirm the dignity of all persons, including both victims and offenders. The death penalty denies human dignity, contributes to an ever-growing disrespect for the sacredness of human life and feeds a sense of vengeance rather than justice.
In an Oct. 23, 2014 meeting with representatives of the International Association of Penal Law, Pope Francis called on all Christians and people of good will to fight for the end of the use of the death penalty. “It is impossible to imagine that states today cannot make use of another means than capital punishment to defend peoples’ lives from an unjust aggressor,” the pope said.
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 the end of the use of the death penalty.
For more information, contact Michael B. Sheedy, executive director of the Florida Catholic Conference at (850) 205-6820 or email: msheedy@flacathconf.org.
Prayer Vigils will be held on Thursday, Nov. 13 at the following locations of the Diocese of St. Augustine:
Alachua County
A carpool will be leaving on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 4:30 p.m. from the parking lot of St. Augustine Church and Catholic Student Center, 1738 W. University Ave., Gainesville to attend a prayer service at Florida State Prison near Starke. Contact: Michelle Garcia, (352) 372-3533 or email: info@catholicgators.com.
Bradford County
Across the highway from the Florida State Prison Execution Building, Starke, drive eight miles west of U.S. 301 on Florida Highway 16 West, 5 to 6:30 p.m. Contact: John Linnehan, (904) 504-1004 or email: metanoia.mx@gmail.com.
Duval County
In front of the new Duval County Unified Courthouse, 501 W. Adams Street, Jacksonville, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Contact: Jackie Gunning, (904) 449-3328 or email: Jacqueline.gunning@bmcjax.com or Sister Maureen Kelley at (904) 704-0313 or email: mkelleyop@att.net.
Flagler County
In front of the Flagler County Courthouse, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell, 5 to 6 p.m. Contact: Jackie Morelewicz, (386) 986-3146 or email: jackiem@cfl.rr.com.
St. Johns County
In front of the St. Augustine Beach City Hall at the corner of A1A and 16th Street, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Contact: Nancy O’Byrne, (904) 461-9216 or email: obyrnen@bellsouth.net.