• About WordPress
    • WordPress.org
    • Documentation
    • Support
    • Feedback
  • Log In
  • Register

Catholic Masses

  • Search for Mass Times
  • Catholic Faith Articles
    • News Briefs
    • Catholic Church
    • Vatican News
    • Catholic Gift Ideas
  • Online Masses
    • Daily Catholic Mass Online
      • Daily TV Mass from Toronto
      • EWTN Daily Mass
      • CTVN Daily Mass
      • Sunday Mass by the Passionists
      • Daily Mass (In Spanish)
  • Pray with Us
Home Test page Catholics pray after Alabama executes death row inmate

Catholics pray after Alabama executes death row inmate

Florida Department of Corrections execution chamber 1. / Florida State Correctional Facility.

Washington D.C., Oct 22, 2021 / 17:01 pm (CNA).

Alabama executed inmate Willie B. Smith III on Thursday evening, Oct. 20, marking the first execution in the state since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Smith received a lethal injection and was pronounced dead at 9:47 p.m.

Smith, 52, was sentenced to death in 1992 for the 1991 murder of Sharma Ruth Johnson, a 22-year-old woman from Trussville, Alabama. Smith kidnapped Johnson at an ATM, robbed her, and then shot her to death execution-style at a cemetery in Birmingham.

Donald Carson, communications director of the Diocese of Birmingham, told CNA Oct. 22 that the diocese “recognizes that the State must protect innocent people from violent criminals. In today’s world, however, we know that there are ways to do so other than to execute even those such as Mr. Smith, convicted of the most heinous of crimes. Society does not teach respect for life, for the dignity of every living human, by taking life. Instead, capital punishment devalues human life and contributes to a climate of violence in our communities.”

The organization Catholic Mobilizing Network, which is dedicated to ending the death penalty, stated on Twitter on Thursday that members were praying for Smith ahead of his execution.

“Dear God, You call us to be a people of justice and mercy. We know this execution is not Your will,” the group said.

Following Smith’s execution, the group stated on Twitter, “Dear God in Heaven, we pray for the repose of Willie Smith’s soul. Lord, guide us as we work, in Your name, for a world that upholds and honors the sanctity of all human life.”

During Smith’s trial, a recording of him boasting about his crime to one of his friends was played for the court. He said at the time that he had to shoot Johnson after kidnapping her, as her brother was a police officer.

An accomplice, a 17-year-old girl who lived with Smith at the time of the murder, testified against him at his trial in exchange for a shorter prison sentence.

Smith’s death sentence has been controversial for years due to multiple factors. In 2013, his attorneys claimed that he had been given antipsychotic drugs during his trial, which left him incapable of showing emotion.

In 2019, they alleged that his IQ was 70, which is considered to be borderline intellectually disabled. It is unconstitutional to execute someone with an intellectual disability, but both the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court rejected this appeal in Smith’s case.

Initially, Smith was set to be executed on Feb. 11, 2021. That was delayed after he requested his pastor be present with him during his final moments. The Supreme Court ruled in his favor, saying that it would be unconstitutional for the state to deprive him of a spiritual advisor while executing him.


If you value the news and views Catholic World Report provides, please consider donating to support our efforts. Your contribution will help us continue to make CWR available to all readers worldwide for free, without a subscription. Thank you for your generosity!

Click here for more information on donating to CWR. Click here to sign up for our newsletter.


Catholic World Report

Oct 22, 2021CatholicMasses

Share this post:

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on PinterestShare on EmailShare on LinkedIn
The Road of Gathering, Exodus, and SalvationWill Roe be overturned? Here are 6 notable Supreme Court decisions that have been struck down
You Might Also Like
 
Conscience protections for healthcare workers: Freedom or coercion?
 
Pope meets with Captains Regent of the Republic of San Marino

You must be logged in to post a comment. - Log in

CatholicMasses
6 months ago Alabama, Catholic News, death penalty, Execution, News Briefs, USAlabama, Catholic Church, Catholic News, death penalty, Execution, News Briefs, US15
Find Mass Schedules Near You

CatholicMasses.org allows you to search for Catholic Churches to find Mass times near you!

This unique feature helps while traveling.  Now along with Mass times, schedules and Catholic news you can also watch daily Catholic Mass online with your friends.

Try our free resource to “find Roman Catholic Churches near me” today!

St Alphonsus Liguori praised the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as the best way to Honor God.  Join us as we celebrate Mass daily from various parishes around the world, online and offline, and please visit daily to pray with us as we recite the Rosary, offer daily scripture, readings, devotions and Catholic focused news. We bring you daily Catholic Mass from various parishes around the world and Catholic news.

Today’s Mass
Daily Mass Videos
  • Catholic Chicago
  • CatholicTVNetwork Daily Mass
  • Daily Mass from Toronto Canada
  • ETWN Daily Mass
  • Eucaristia en Vivo – Spanish Daily Mass
  • General Catholic Videos
  • Live video from Lourdes France
  • Masses from the Ascension Priests
  • Misa Hoy (en español)
  • National Shrine
  • News from a Catholic Perspective
  • News from CFN
  • Pope Francis and Vatican News
  • Rosary
  • Sunday Mass by the Passionists
What’s New
  • Reaching consensus on Mary’s role in redemption: The Athanasian solution
  • 16 May 2022 – Monday of Week 5 of Easter
  • Full Text: Pope Francis’ Homily for the Canonization Mass of 10 Saints
  • ‘Brilliant Reflections of the Lord of History’: Pope Francis Canonizes 10 New Saints of the Catholic Church
  • Bishop condemns ‘abhorrently evil’ slaying of 10 at Buffalo supermarket
Catholic Gifts
  • Wicker Picnic Basket with Double Folding Handles,Willow Picnic Hamper,Natural Hand Woven Easter Basket,Easter Eggs and… $36.89
  • Top Collection Archangel St. Michael Statue - Michael Archangel of Heaven Defeating Lucifer in Premium Cold-Cast Bronze… $65.25
  • Merry Christmas Fireplace Banner,Hanging Christmas Mantel Decoration,Christmas Party Supplies for Home Office Party $4.99
Gift Ideas
  • Catholic Products
    • Books
    • Christmas
    • Holidays
    • Jewelry
    • Medals
    • Music
    • Rosary
    • Statues
About

Providing up to date online access to information exclusively about Catholicism.

Visit our site map | Privacy Policy | About Us Page.

Streaming Catholic Mass Online

Watch Catholic Mass Online Today.

Find Churches Nearby
Email-Subscription

Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest news and event postings.

2019 © Catholic Mass Search - Search Catholic Churches and find Mass times while traveling.
Privacy Policy | About Us Page.
Truemag theme by StrictThemes
Change Location
Find awesome listings near you!