| June 16, 2008 | Volume 83, Number 17 | |
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Let us persevere in hopeThree weeks ago on May 27 Kevin Green became the 99th person executed in Virginia since 1976. Gratefully, Governor Kaine commuted the execution of Percy Walton scheduled for June 10, the day before it was to be carried out. With this action the governor said that the courts had emphasized that it was unconstitutional to execute someone who is mentally incompetent. Mr. Walton will now serve a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Four weeks ago, a three-judge panel of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down Virginia’s partial-birth abortion ban. Virginia Attorney General Robert McDonnell has asked the full court to review the panel’s decision. And in March, Virginia lawmakers failed to prevent taxpayer funding of abortions, embryonic stem-cell research, and Planned Parenthood projects in the new state budget that will go into effect on July 1. Even when outcomes are quite troubling, we must not despair. Instead, God calls us to persist in prayer and advocacy, so that human life and dignity will one day become the standards by which such decisions are made. We are a people of hope, and we should remember that, in the words of Pope Benedict XVI, “The one who has hope lives differently.” Words spoken by the late Pope John Paul II can help all of us put that hope into practice. As he appealed for an end to the death penalty in modern societies at a 1999 Mass in St. Louis, he said, “The new evangelization calls for followers of Christ who are unconditionally pro-life — who will proclaim, celebrate and serve the Gospel of Life in every situation.” As we strive to be people of hope who bring the Gospel of Life to our communities and our society, may we be inspired by the Word of God found in Romans 5:2–5, where St. Paul tells us, “We exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
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Within the next two months, three additional Virginia executions are scheduled.