Catholic bishops urge Governor DeSantis to stay the execution of Ronald Heath

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) has asked Gov. Ron DeSantis to stay the February 10, 2026, execution of Ronald Heath and commute his sentence to life without parole. Heath was sentenced to death for the 1989 first-degree murder of Michael Sheridan. He was also convicted of the 1977 second-degree murder of Michael Green. 
 
While recognizing that the grave nature of Heath’s crimes merits severe punishment, Michael Sheedy, FCCB executive director, pleaded in a letter to DeSantis that the governor spare Heath’s life.
 
“We appeal to you that it is possible both to achieve the purposes of punishment and to exercise mercy,” wrote Sheedy.
 
The Catholic Church teaches that the death penalty attacks the inviolability of the human person. Life-long incarceration without the possibility of parole is a severe yet more humane punishment that recognizes the inherent dignity of the guilty person while also ensuring societal safety.
 
Prior to Heath’s execution date, Catholic faithful and members of the community will gather at multiple locations across Florida to pray for him, his victims, and their families, and for DeSantis as he considers the request to stay the execution.

Read the full text of the letter to Governor DeSantis here.