It is easier to find a score of men and women wise enough to discover the truth than to find one intrepid enough, in the face of opposition to stand up for it. ~ A. A. Hodge

The essence of immorality is the tendency to make an exception of myself. ~ Jane Addams

The state has, in order to control us, introduced division into our thinking, so that we come to distrust others and look to the state for protection! But the roots of our individualism remind us that what we are is inseparable from the source from which all others derive; that coercive practices that threaten our neighbor also threaten us. ~Butler Shaffer

I am done with great things and big things, great institutions and big success, and I am for those tiny invisible molecular moral forces that work from individual to individual, creeping through the crannies of the world like so many rootlets, or like the capillary oozing of water, yet which if you give them time, will rend the hardest monuments of man’s pride. ~ William James

The first time it was reported that our friends were being butchered there was a cry of horror. Then a hundred were butchered. But when a thousand were butchered and there was no end to the butchery, a blanket of silence spread. When evil doing comes like falling rain, nobody calls out ’stop!’ When crimes begin to pile up they become invisible. When sufferings become unendurable, the cries are no longer heard. The cries, too, fall like rain in summer.  ~ Bertolt Brecht

 The Second Treatise of Civil Government 1690: That the aggressor, who puts himself into the state of war with another, and unjustly invades another man’s right, can, by such an unjust war, never come to have a right over the conquered, will be easily agreed by all, who will not think that robbers and pirates have a right of empire over whomsoever they have force enough to master, or that men are bound by promises which unlawful force extorts from them. Should a robber break into my house, and, with a dagger at my throat, make me seal deeds to convey my estate to him, would this give him any title? Just such a title by his sword has an unjust conqueror who forces me into submission. The injury and the crime is equal, whether committed by the wearer of a crown or some petty villain. The title of the offender and the number of his followers make no difference in the offence, unless it be to aggravate it. The only difference is, great robbers punish little ones to keep them in their obedience; but the great ones are rewarded with laurels and triumphs, because they are too big for the weak hands of justice in this world, and have the power in their own possession which should punish offenders. ~ John Locke – 1632-1704 – http://www.constitution.org/jl/2ndtreat.htm

Simple logic says that we must go to the roots of terror. Only a fool can believe that the services of a suicidal terrorist can be purchased, or that they can be bred at will anywhere. ~ Ouch Borith, Permanent Representative of The Kingdom of Cambodia to The UN: 10/03/2001

Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe. ~ Frederick Douglass

Florida Bishops ask Governor Crist to close Death Row

Wayne Tompkins was executed by the State of Florida on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 6:35 p.m.  To read the full story click here.  Several members of Pax Christi Palm Beach and RESPECT LIFE stood in silent vigil before the Cathedral of St. Ignatius, publicly opposing the state killing that was taking place in our name. 

Florida Bishops Asking to Close Down Death Row by Karna Swanson (Feb. 11, 2009 – Zenit: The World Seen From Rome)  To read this article, click here.

We praise this action by our Bishop and all the Bishops of Florida.  Ending the Death Penalty and reforming our prison system affirms our commitment to the inherent sanctity and dignity of life.

Execution Vigil – Wednesday, February 11th

Florida’s next execution has been set for Wednesday, February 11th.

A decision to kill caused this terrible tragedy…

more killing cannot repair the damage done.

As members of Pax Christi Florida witness against the execution of Wayne Tompkins and all state-sponsored killings, we are ever mindful of the unimaginable pain and suffering which the family of Lisa Carr continues to endure. Please keep the family and friends of this 15-year old victim in your thoughts and prayers.

Florida is one of five states that contribute to more than 65% of the nation’s executions.

As Catholics and as citizens of this state, we are compelled to voice our unequivocal opposition to this practice of State sponsored killing.

Florida’s Catholic Bishops have concurred that the death penalty has been discriminatory toward the poor, the indigent and racial minorities. In their position statement released in January 2002, they stated,

“Capital punishment contributes to the escalating atmosphere of violence in our society and undermines belief of the inherent worth and dignity of human life.”

Take Action! Join Pax Christi Palm Beach in an execution vigil in front of the St. Ignatius Loyola Cathedral (9500 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens) on Wednesday, February 11th  from 5:45 – 6:15 p.m. during the execution of Wayne Tompkins currently scheduled for 6:00 p.m. EST.