Last month, Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde and Richmond Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo sent a letter asking Virginia Governor Mark Warner to grant clemency to Robin Lovitt, who was to be executed on Mon. July 11 at 9 p.m.. At 4:30 p.m. on July 11, the U.S. Supreme Court stepped in and stayed Lovitt’s execution.

"The Court’s decision is a sign of hope that the death penalty is being viewed with increasing caution and skepticism," said Jeff Caruso, executive director of the Virginia Catholic Conference (VCC).

"Praise and thanks be to the God of life," said Sister Connie Parcasio, director of prison ministry for Catholic Charities. Sister Connie recalled Jesus words in the Gospel "Whatever you ask in my name, I will do so that the Father may be glorified" (Jn 14:13).

"Yes, we prayed together that Robin Lovitt be spared from execution and the Lord heard our prayers."

Lovitt was convicted of killing the manager of an Arlington pool hall with a pair of scissors during a 1998 robbery. Many questions arose around his case due to the mistaken destruction by a court clerk of the scissors used in the murder. With the loss of this critical evidence, it is no longer possible to go back and confirm the conviction through DNA testing.

According to Caruso, both supporters and opponents of the death penalty should want to avoid wrongfully executing anyone.

Lovitt’s lawyers had appealed to the Supreme Court about the case. In October, the Supreme Court will have the chance to either hear Lovitt’s appeal or ignore it. The stay has postponed the execution.

"Hopeful that the Court will avail itself of this opportunity, the (VCC) will continue urging Virginia lawmakers to reconsider the use of the death penalty," Caruso said. "It’s important that we continue to deliver our message."

Even though the governor did not respond to earlier protests, Caruso received feedback that many Catholics did contact the governor about Lovitt’s scheduled execution.

"Let us continue to ask God to intervene for us so that the death penalty will be no more in this country," said Sister Connie. "Surely He will hear us because He made us for life and not for death."

Caruso sees the Supreme Court’s intervention as a step in the right direction. He hopes the Supreme Court will hear Lovitt’s case in October. Until then, the VCC will continue to argue that the death penalty is unnecessary and inappropriate in today’s society.