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August 12, 2025The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) has asked Gov. Ron DeSantis to stay the Aug. 19 scheduled execution of Kayle Barrington Bates and commute his sentence to life imprisonment without parole. Bates was sentenced to death for the 1982 murder of Janet Renee White. He was also convicted of kidnapping, attempted sexual battery and armed robbery.
In a letter to DeSantis, Michael Sheedy, FCCB executive director, mourned the tragic death of Ms. White and the terrible suffering of her husband, Randy, and loved ones. “Nevertheless, even as we pray for the repose of Ms. White’s soul and for her husband’s consolation, we urge you to spare Mr. Bates’ life,” wrote Sheedy. “Every human life, given by God, is sacred.”
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 ensures societal safety, allows the guilty the possibility of redemption, and offers finality to court processes. Given our modern penal system, executions are unnecessary.
Before Bates’ scheduled execution, Catholic faithful and members of the community will gather in multiple locations across Florida to pray for him, for the family of his victims, and for DeSantis as he considers the request to stay the execution.
Full text of letter to DeSantis