The Execution of Kelsey Patterson

(Author’s note: I intend this blog to be unequivocally apolitical. I do not want to get distracted by political discussions about the death penalty or any other issue of the day. However, the Catholic Faith, if believed and lived, unavoidably has political implications. It matters who we vote for and what issues we support or oppose. I present this essay as an example of my opinion on a political issue that touched me to the core. As Catholics, we are formed and guided by Church teaching, but we also make up our own minds about the application of Catholic principles. Texas Governor Perry asserted that the execution of Mr. Patterson was the  only way to protect society. I invite you to decide for yourself whether Mr. Patterson’s execution was just.)

The State of Texas killed Mr. Kelsey Patterson yesterday, a schizophrenic who murdered two people. He was insane before, during, and after the crime, and, from the accounts of the crime that I read, could not possibly have been morally culpable for his deed. I personally faxed the governor of Texas, Mr. Rick Perry, the day before the execution to beg for mercy for Kelsey. I told the governor that it is possible for a psychotic individual to do wrong while believing he is doing right, and that the evidence of Mr. Patterson’s insanity was overwhelming (he didn’t even bother to leave the scene of the crime; when the police arrived, he was found naked, wearing socks, and talking to himself). The governor ignored my letter, as well as the recommendation of his own parole board, which had voted 5-1 in an unprecedented move to spare Kelsey the ultimate punishment. Kelsey was pronounced dead at 6:20 p.m. local time.

I was furious. Beside myself. Saddened, too, but mostly angry. I’ve had it with the mercilessness of our society. We kill each other and propose that it is good. Call it abortion, call it the war on terror, call it execution, call it death with dignity. We live in a culture of death.

My thought was, fax a letter to the editor to the Houston Chronicle, telling Texans exactly what I think, and inviting them to come to Portland to burn my house down if they didn’t like it.

This was to be my way of picking a fight with the entire state of Texas.

I didn’t do it.

Instead I recalled the words of our Lord, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

Always apply moral instruction to yourself first.

I am not the judge of the human race. I am not Governor Perry’s judge, nor the judge of the people of Texas, nor of Kelsey’s executioners. These are all people I have been tempted to judge. Instead, I am content to let God be the judge, because I know that his judgment, and his alone, is truly just and merciful. Not mine, because I am limited, and I do not see into men’s hearts. Not mine, because I do not love with the perfect charity of God. Not mine, because I do not have the perspective of Heaven on human affairs. So I do not judge other men.

But there is satisfaction in knowing that there is judgment. We are promised judgment. “Alas, alas, great city… in one hour she has been ruined. Rejoice over her, heaven, you holy ones, apostles, and prophets. For God has judged your case against her” (Revelation 19:19-20). I find this passage very satisfying at a time like this. God swears judgment and vindication for those who love him. And his retribution will come swiftly: “in one hour.” To reflect on this passage is to realize that the Church’s nonnegotiable call for repentance and conversion — demanded of every single human being who hears it — is as urgent today as it ever was. Judgment will come “in one hour,” and we do not know when that hour will be. Prepare your heart today. Do not wait, or the Lord will come at an unexpected time.

As for Kelsey, I am not concerned about him any more. When I think of him now, I recall the words of our Lord, “Many who are first will be last, and the last will be first” (Matthew 19:30). A mentally ill double murderer certainly ranks among the last in our society. Perhaps one day we will be looking up to him.