In particular it resonated with gay and lesbian people because many, if not most, of us, have lived in fear of violent acts against us and repeatedly been the victims of prejudicial speech containing suggestions of violence. Now with sadness we understand that the prosecutors of Matthew Shepard's killers seek the death penalty against them. We oppose this further act of violence and ask them to reconsider their decision and not apply the capital punishment statute in this case. We do so informed by the gospel of Jesus Christ and the long-held belief of our Episcopal Church that the death penalty is simply and completely wrong.
Violence only begets violence.
Lesbian and gay people have known violence in all its insidious forms. It is not the death of his killers that will bring about justice for Matthew Shepard. It is the conversion of all our hearts from the ways of violence and hate. We continue our prayers for Matthew's family and friends. We also pray, as Jesus taught us, for his killers and their families and for those whose duty it is to prosecute and judge them.