Texas Catholic Voice Sept. 30 2024
In this issue of the Texas Catholic Voice:
- Robert Roberson execution …
- National Blue Ribbon schools …
- How to register to vote …
- Mental Health Sunday …
- And more!
A Message from Jennifer Allmon, Executive Director
On Tuesday, Sept. 17, the Texas House Criminal Justice Reform Caucus held a press conference regarding the scheduled execution of Robert Roberson and the troubling doubts surrounding his conviction for the murder of his daughter, Nikki. Rep. Joe Moody said, “We shouldn’t be executing someone when there’s this much doubt about whether a crime was even committed.”
A bipartisan group of 86 House members signed a letter to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles imploring the board to grant clemency stating, “Unless you or the courts intervene, Mr. Roberson will become the first person in the United States executed based on the “shaken baby syndrome” hypothesis, which many medical professionals now consider junk science…”
In addition to the House’s letter, Robert Roberson’s clemency application included letters of support from church leaders (including TCCB), legal professionals, the lead detective in the case, people from across the globe wrongfully accused of abuse based on “shaken baby syndrome,” and many advocacy organizations.
Author and former criminal lawyer, John Grisham, also makes a compelling argument for Robert’s innocence in an article for D Magazine. He writes about Robert’s background, the history of health problems that plagued his daughter Nikki during her short life, and the trial in which Robert “didn’t stand a chance” as the prosecution’s case was built on the false premise of shaken baby syndrome.
One of Robert’s strongest advocates is Brian Wharton, the lead detective who investigated Nikki’s death. In a New York Times video, he visits Robert on death row and apologizes to him for the role he played in Robert’s conviction. “No other possibilities for her injury were considered,” Detective Wharton said. “I regret deeply that we followed the easiest path.”
We hope and pray that, like Melissa Lucio, Robert will be spared the death penalty, and his case will be reviewed.
We also pray for Garcia White who is scheduled for execution on Oct. 1.
National Blue Ribbon Schools awardees
Four Texas Catholic schools have been named 2024 Blue Ribbon Schools by the United States Department of Education. We are so proud of Christ the Redeemer Catholic School, St. John Paul II Catholic School, and St. Helen Catholic School, all in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, and St. Mark Catholic School in the Diocese of Dallas! Read more about these exemplary schools here.
October is Respect Life Month
USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities provides materials to help Catholics understand and value the gift of human life and help build a culture that cherishes and protects it. These resources may be downloaded, printed, and reproduced for use in your parish, school, or ministry.
Let us pray to remain vigilant in Texas about protecting the unborn and embracing those mothers and fathers experiencing challenging pregnancies.
Mental Health Sunday is Oct. 13
“God created human beings in his image and likeness to be life-giving, happy, and whole,” wrote the bishop-chairs of two USCCB committees spearheading a Catholic awareness of a mental health crisis in our country. Resources are available, including a novena for mental health Oct. 10 – 18.
Vote and Civilize It
If you will be 18 by Election Day (Nov. 5), have become a citizen of the United States, or moved or changed your name since the last time you registered to vote, you have until Oct. 7 to register or re-register. For more information, visit www.texas.gov/living-in-texas/texas-voter-registration
Each election season, questions arise over what parishes can do to promote civic participation while avoiding partisan electioneering. This document outlines the Texas bishops’ guidelines on addressing these questions. In sum, while the laity should live out their baptismal call by putting their faith into political action, the clergy and ministry leaders should not advocate for a specific candidate or party.
If you have not already done so, please sign the Civilize It pledge and share it with others. Between now and the election in November, we will be promoting this effort on our website, social media, and in the Texas Catholic Voice.
Pope Francis’ prayer intention for October: For the Synod on Synodality
As the Synod on Synodality convenes in Rome on Oct. 2, Pope Francis asks us to join him in prayer:
Let us pray for the Church, that she may adopt listening and dialogue as a style of life at every level, allowing herself to be guided by the Holy Spirit towards the world’s peripheries.
For more information, visit the website on the Synod.
Upcoming executions
- Garcia White – Oct. 1
- Robert Roberson – Oct. 17
- Steven Nelson – Feb. 2, 2025
- David Wood – March 13, 2025
We pray for the victims of violence and their loved ones, for those on death row and for an end to the death penalty.