Home Christian News Foes of Death Penalty Offer Spiritual Support at Executions

Foes of Death Penalty Offer Spiritual Support at Executions

Currently, Battista, 64, is deeply engaged in anti-racism activities, but she was often on the front line in vigils outside the prison protesting recent federal executions. She’s grateful to have had the opportunity to accompany Nelson and a second condemned man, William Emmett LeCroy, at their executions last year.

“Yes, I had some doubts. … but I know that through my prayer, my interaction with these men, I was there for them,” she said. “That person deserves to have somebody with them who is the face of love.”

In LeCroy’s case, Battista said he asked her to pray for him, and she informed the executioner that she would be doing so — aloud.

The prayer was the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Its closing passage includes the words “Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless … look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent.”

This article originally appeared here.