ON DEATH ROW, KEEPING THE FAITH - Letter from Catholic Inmate

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (ZENIT.org). - Deacon Joe Vitela sees the death penalty, up close.

As a Catholic chaplain at the Ellis Unit 1 Prison in Huntsville, he works closely with those condemned to die. Recently he sent an account of his work to the Rome-based ZENIT news agency, along with a special plea from a death-row inmate.

Deacon Vitela: I work with the general population (2,400-plus prisoners) and with the death-row inmates. The death-row inmates were kept in this prison for many years, until recently; when one escaped, they were all moved to the Terrell Unit in Livingston, Texas, a more modern facility 40 miles from here.

My job also consists of visiting the death-row inmates, giving them spiritual directions, leading them to the sacraments and preparing them for death. I am on call on certain months, and I take care of those that cannot speak or understand English (I am Hispanic).

Officials prefer that I look after the Catholics, although I work with all of them. I am what is known as a witness support liaison, or WSL. There are 12 of us chaplains that work in this special ministry. I am the only Catholic and Hispanic. There was another one but he has been shifted to work in the victims' side.

I get to witness the execution and be with the families of the inmate on that day from noon till the execution. I pray with them, listen to them, explain what is going to happen, help in making funeral arraignments and take the family members that will be witnesses to the "Walls" (Huntsville State Prison) where the execution takes place.

Working with these men has helped me grow more spiritual. I get to know their stories, feelings, see their love for Jesus and their spirituality. They have taught me things about life, love and solidarity that have changed my life. I go to minister to them, and I am the one being ministered.

In one of my visits, talking to Jeffery Dillingham (a Catholic), for whom I will be the WSL on Nov. 1, his date of execution. He shared with me how the Holy Spirit woke him during the night, to write a letter to the people of the United States, to fast and pray that the death penalty be all abolished all over the world.

He is asking everyone to join on a day of prayer and fasting. Here is Dillingham's letter.

Today I write to you requesting we all join for a day of prayer and fasting for a common goal. I ask that you lay aside the denominational differences and embrace each other as a nation united under God. For the Word says, "There is [now no distinction] neither Jew, nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not man and female; for you are all one in Jesus Christ" (Galatians 3:28).

God has moved greatly in my life and in the lives of those around me in the last 10 months. He has moved me to prayer and fasting for two major goals. I believe the he has shown me that one may very well be what brings about the other. These two things are the abolishment of the death penalty, and revival in America. Not, as I believe many may define revival, but an awakening in this country of biblical proportions. This means a fresh awareness of the importance of obedience to God and a zeal for making God's word and his ways the quest of our lives.

God has put it on my heart to fast and pray for these things and I have dedicated myself to doing so. This afternoon as I read my daily Bible reading, I came upon Joel 1:14, which says, "Sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land in the house of the Lord, your God, and cry to the Lord [in penitent pleading]." I was overwhelmed to the point of tears that he was calling me to do this very thing.

So, I come to you now, my Christian brothers and sisters, asking you to come together on Oct. 1 for a day of prayer and fasting for the abolishment of the death penalty in this country. I appeal to you, pastors, priests, deacons and those in your congregation, to join together for just one day of solemn prayer and fasting for this unified goal. To take a stand for Christ who taught us of love and forgiveness. "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (Matthew 9:13).

I know some of you believe in the death penalty and I ask you to consider the last verse and what the Word says in Ezekiel 33:11 (King James version), "Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn his way and live." For if a man or woman is executed he or she no longer can turn to the Lord. We are all sinners. As the Scriptures say, "No one is good not even one" (Romans 3:10).

I ask you, especially those of you who are in favor of the death penalty, to pray for its end! If for no other reason than for the saving of human life, which I can't believe, anyone would be against. For I believe that if as a country we will show respect for life, so too will those who live in that country. Look at Canada: Since the abolishment of the death penalty in that country, its murder rate has declined every year.

I sincerely believe this is what our Christian community needs and I'm requesting everyone to participate if possible. It is only one day but if we all come together to pray for a single purpose, it may well be the spark that sets fire to the true revival in this country and that it will then spread like wildfire....

We are the only predominately Christian nation who still practices capital punishment. As revival was the catalyst that brought about the end of capital punishment in France and Russia, perhaps here we could all stand together in faith to abolish the death penalty as the catalyst to bring about revival. Can we do this as brothers and sisters in Christ indeed we can! We can come together to "Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter" (Proverbs 41:11).

Oct. 1 -- a day of prayer and fasting, the entire Christian community, spanning every denomination, every state in the country. Men, women, young, old, mature Christians, ones who have just found God, please come together and pray in agreement with God's word asking God, "Listen to the moaning of the prisoners. Demonstrate your great power by saving those condemned to die" (Psalm 79:11).

Thank you for your valuable time and attention. Please spread the word and share this message with your friends, family, and neighbors and to anyone who will listen. Ask them to do the same and to talk to their Churches, their congregations.

The fast can be a single meal, the whole day or even just abstinence of a certain food, or perhaps liquids. The rules you decide on are not what are important. What is important is that you stick to whatever rules you set. Even for those who can't fast, I implore you, please, just pray! Let us come together now, the true meaning of Church.

God bless and keep you all.

(Signed) Jeffrey Dillingham, Death Row inmate, Terrell Unit, Execution date, Nov. 1.

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