Sant Egidio Battle for Humanity: In a crucial legal crossroads, Kenneth Smith faces the looming specter of death for the murder of a pastor’s wife. The impending execution is entangled in controversy, having endured a previously botched attempt. Alabama’s pursuit of using nitrogen hypoxia, an untested method on humans, adds a layer of ethical concern.
The SantEgidio Community, responding to Pope Francis’ call for global death penalty abolition, passionately advocates for clemency in Smith’s case. This plea aligns with the “Cities for LifeCities Against the Death Penalty” initiative, culminating in the symbolic illumination of the Colosseum against global capital punishment.
Gary Drinkard, a former death row inmate, joins Sant’Egidio in campaigning against the death penalty, sharing his harrowing tale of injustice. His story unfolds as a testament to the power of prayers and human connections that sustained him during an eight-year wrongful imprisonment.
Reflecting on his experience, Drinkard contends that the death penalty, rather than punishing the condemned, inflicts profound anguish on the families involved. He describes it as a manifestation of vengeance, with the families of victims and prisoners bearing the true brunt of the punishment.
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In an impassioned appeal for Kenneth Smith, Carlo Santoro, leading Sant’Egidio’s anti-death penalty campaign in the United States, underscores the inhumanity of the proposed execution method. Smith’s survival of a previous botched attempt and the pursuit of an untested gas method underscore the urgency of halting this course of action.
Sant’Egidio invites global participation in their petition to the governor of Alabama, urging a collective effort to spare Smith’s life and contribute to the broader movement against the death penalty worldwide.
In the face of what Drinkard deems a barbaric practice, the Sant’Egidio Community stands firm in its commitment to eliminating capital punishment, calling on humanity to unite in the quest to cease this irreversible and inhumane form of retribution.
Our Reader’s Queries
Is Sant Egidio a Catholic church?
Founded in 1968 under the guidance of Andrea Riccardi, the Community of Sant’Egidio (Italian: Comunità di Sant’Egidio) is a lay Catholic association committed to social service. In 1973, the group found a home at the old Carmelite monastery and church of Sant’Egidio in Rome, Italy, where it has since expanded its reach.
What is the mission of Sant Egidio?
Sant’Egidio is a worldwide Christian movement comprising volunteer communities dedicated to serving the poor, promoting peace, and engaging in prayer. The organization is committed to assisting the most vulnerable members of society, including the homeless, at-risk children, elderly individuals, and prisoners.