UPDATE: Thursday, January 16, 2020 the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles granted Jimmy Meders clemency and changed his sentence to Life Without Possibility of Parole. Mr. Meders is the sixth person in the state of Georgia to be granted clemency.

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The state of Georgia plans to execute Jimmy Meders on Thursday, January 16, 2020 for the 1987 murder of Don Anderson.

In the case of Jimmy Meders, all of the surviving jurors from his sentencing trial have shared that they would have voted for a life without parole sentence, but that sentencing option was not available to them at the time of Mr. Meders' sentencing in 1989. Every one of them has testified that they would have supported a sentence of life without parole over the death penalty had it been available. 

The Catholic Church teaches that the death penalty is unacceptable in all cases because it is "an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person." (Catholic Catechism 2267) 

Mr. Meders' attorneys have advised that sending letters to the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles would not be helpful for Mr. Meders' clemency case. No Letters are requested on his behalf at this time. 

At times like these we may feel at a loss of what to do in the face of such egregious acts of violence. These are the moments when we pray for God's guidance and Grace.  Please pray, on behalf of Mr. Meders, that he may come to know God's peace and ever-present mercy.

Prayer

God of Mercy,

You bestow upon every person a dignity that cannot be extinguished, no matter the harm someone has suffered or caused.

Rooted in this sacred value of all life, we work together to transform the criminal justice system by ending the death penalty. Enliven our commitment to “work with determination for its abolition worldwide.” 

Ignite in our imaginations more restorative approaches to harm and violence that embody Your vision of right relationship. For any person who is a victim of, responsible for, or witness to crime, may we be vessels of Your hope, healing, and redemption.

Embolden in us the fire to foster a culture of life. Sustain our pursuit of reconciling justice, that we may model your compassion and mercy with our lives. 

In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.