The State of Texas killed Ivan Cantu last night. I was there with him, standing near his face, holding his hand, and praying into his ear until the chemicals killed him. God’s grace was with him and with me. He was one of the most faith-filled, self-directed people I have ever encountered. His strength helped me. His last words were directed calmly and clearly to the victims’ families watching him die from the witness chambers. “I did not kill James Mosqueda and Amy Kitchen. If I had known who killed them I would have gotten the information to you in any way I could. But I did not kill them, and if your hope in coming here is because you seek closure or peace, I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed.”
Ivan thanked his mother and lawyer and friends, who supported him over his 23 years of imprisonment. As I prayed with him I promised him I would continue to tell his story so that through his passion and death, people’s hearts and minds will be awakened to the need to end the death penalty. The poison acted quickly. He drew in a few sharp breaths, then opened his mouth wide and gave up his spirit. I prayed, “Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit,” just as Jesus prayed from the cross.
When I knew Ivan was gone, I stepped back a bit from the gurney to wait for the prison doctor to declare the time of death. I knew Ivan’s suffering and mighty struggle to get the truth out to the courts and the people were over. Maybe part of the strength I feel within me now in the aftermath of his death is knowing I did all I knew to do to try to save his life.
I call on everyone reading this to join me in the urgent work to end this terrible torture and killing of human beings that our Supreme Court legalizes and blesses. It is the work of Jesus that we do: “You have heard it said, ‘an eye for an eye’… but I say to you…” It is the precious work of human rights.
Today, February 29, I am spending the day with Ivan’s mother, Sylvia, herself a valiant, faith-filled woman. When word came to her of her son’s death last night, people with her could hear her loud sustained wail of grief throughout the house. Now, along with the victims’ families, another mother mourns her dead child.
I’m OK, though it all still seems pretty unreal. Did Texas really kill Ivan in that small room last night? And was I standing there so close to him, holding his hand?
I return to New Orleans tomorrow. I will be glad to leave Texas, the biggest killing state in the nation. Thank you, Sisters and friends from all over, who pray for me and sustain me.
Sister Helen Prejean
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