That's the title of an article in today's Houston Chronicle by Salatheia Bryant. LINK
The day condemned killer Frances Newton took her last breath, prison chaplain Richard Lopez was also in the death chamber, standing at her feet quietly commending her spirit to God.
He was a silent presence for the family and friends of Karla Faye Tucker as they witnessed her execution and when Gary Graham was put to death, he stood with teary-eyed supporters the Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson and political activist Bianca Jagger.
When Lonnie Johnson, the 100th killer sent to Texas' death house by a Harris County jury, was executed Tuesday, a prison chaplain was there for him, too.
Lopez is among the two prison chaplains who serve as pastoral guides for those who are scheduled for execution. They visit inmates, say prayers, read Scriptures and assure the inmate of a loving, forgiving spiritual being.
Sometimes they are there to listen. Other times it is the chaplain who is a calming presence when the inmate has vowed to physically fight his fate.
"We try to represent the presence of God," said Lopez, 63, an ordained deacon in the Catholic church and director of chaplain support for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. "We want to offer some presence of who we think God is. Just to let them know they are not there alone."
If you have not read Within These Walls, the memoir of former Chaplain Carroll Pickett, it's available in the right-hand column under Books.
Comments