DAYTONA BEACH | Sandwiched between the horrible, failed execution of Christa Pike in Tennessee and the announcement by the federal government that former U.S. Army major Nidal Hasan’s execution will be livestreamed in December, students from Father Lopez Catholic High School sat quietly for a presentation against the death penalty given by Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN).

Facilitated by theology teacher Melanie Wilson, students absorbed harsh realities of the death penalty and why the Church teaches it is wrong, beginning with Scripture from Luke, Matthew and John. Wilson also took several students to execution vigils to pray for those being executed, their victims and the families. She’s been accompanying students since 2017. She sees it as a corporal work of mercy.

Stephan Rochefort-Dyck of CMN presented slide after slide of statistics helping clarify myths and shining light on facts. He travels to death penalty states in an effort to educate and promote support for its abolition. He also prays for those to be executed, vigil participants, families of victims, and all involved in the process.

“The death penalty is a way for me to apply my faith and the belief in the dignity of all human life, and sort of channel that towards a very specific individual,” he said. Noting other pro-life movements serve those who have been harmed, often the numbers are so large that “there’s almost an anonymity” to it. “In the death penalty, every individual on death row, we know their name and their story and their face. It’s an important way to humanize the general pro-life movement. And for me, it’s seeing the God-given dignity in this person with this name.”

In the classes were students who attended the vigil outside Florida State Prison for Curtis Beasley Sr. Sept. 29. Convicted of the murder of Carolyn Monfort in Polk County in 1995, Beasley was the 13th veteran to die in Florida under the current administration. He is also the 14th senior citizen and the 27th person condemned by a non-unanimous jury.

Learning about the death penalty and the Catholic position on the subject, Father Lopez senior, Richard S., took advantage of the invitation extended by his theology teacher to attend the vigil. He said it was not what he expected.

“You really get a feel for what it is, in the moment when they’re right across the street from you,” he said. He appreciated the others who stood on the pro-life side of the observation area finding commonality. “It was really nice having people that followed the same beliefs, followed the same values, all connecting over such a powerful point and something that we all believe that could be changed.”

At each vigil, a large bell is hit by each participant as they say, “Not in my name.” Hymns of comfort are also sung. It is said that these can be heard in the death chamber and on death row. The experience united Richard to the humanity of those on death row, not their crimes. He hoped the presence of those at the vigil provided some relief. “No one wants to be by themselves,” he said. “We are meant to be together. And I really believe that. I hope that helped them the same way it helped me.”

After listening to Rochefort-Dyck, Richard particularly appreciated “the very faith-oriented questions, but he also brought really good non-religious points.” He felt better equipped to defend his stance.

For Victoria B., what struck her was the realization of the pain the execution caused the families “and everyone who’s been affected by that.” Commenting on the failed attempts to kill Christa Pike, Victoria said she was “appalled.” For her, the fact Pike is being saved for another attempt is “crazy.” What caught her attention from the CMN presentation were the numbers and the charts. For example, how 15 counties in the U.S. account for 30% of the executions since 1976; how many have been put to death without a unanimous jury, and how veterans and those declared mentally unfit were put to death.

Other students, like Kaylee F., went to the vigil unsure of her personal position on the death penalty. She wrestled seeing both sides of the argument. She said punishment was certainly due, but executing someone 40 years after their crimes seemed counter intuitive as they already served time and will continue to remain in prison until they die.

“I was not expecting that many people to be there (at the vigil) and how everyone joined together to save one person that they don’t know. They didn’t talk to him. No one knows him, but they want to save his life.” She added, “The fact that we ring a bell to show support, it changed my perspective on the death penalty because, no one deserves to die for anything.”

As the bus rolled past the recreation yard on its way back to Daytona Beach, a group of about 40 inmates gathered. She did not realize more than 250 people are on death row in Florida.

Kaylee also heard the CMN presentation. Both the vigil and presentation helped her decide to fight against the death penalty. “If you do not have an opinion, the presentation can help shape one for you,” she said. “It impacted me, especially seeing and hearing the videos of those who were wrongfully convicted.”

Wilson plans to continue taking students to monthly vigils where they meet family members of murdered individuals, exonerees, pray, sing, and ring a bell while stating, “Not in my name.”

By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, October 16, 2026