Statement by Bishop Felton Edwin May, episcopal leader of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, The United Methodist Church, on the June 17, 2004 execution of Steven Oken.

For the first time since 1998, the state of Maryland has executed a human being. Steven Oken died by lethal injection in Baltimore June 17 for his crimes. While there is no question that the crimes for which he was convicted were heinous, there is great doubt in my mind in having the state carry out the ultimate punishment.

Some may call the execution justice. I am convinced that this execution was wrong. The Governor of Maryland, Robert Ehrlich, in not issuing a stay of execution, has shown that he is not pro-life.

The United Methodist Church, for years, has been outspoken in its opposition to capital punishment. Our book of church law clearly states, "We oppose capital punishment and urge its elimination from all criminal codes." We oppose capital punishment because we believe that all people are created in the image of God, and that God, in the love of Christ, came to save those who are lost.

Gov. Ehrlich, a United Methodist, knows his church's stance well. In meetings, testimony, letters and phone calls, I and others have sought to reach out to the governor, asking him at the least to continue the moratorium on executions begun by his predecessor, especially in light of the recent study, commissioned by the state itself, that showed the flaws and injustices inherent in the death penalty system. I have met with the governor personally as part of the United Methodist faith community, and as part of the larger ecumenical community in the state, to share our belief stated in our book of church law that "the mistreatment…of persons by governments for any purpose violates Christian teaching."

Gov. Ehrlich, for his part, remains unbending.

Today is a sad day in the state of Maryland, but it is not a day without hope. My prayers are extended to the families of Dawn Garvin, Patricia Hirt, and Lori Ward, the victims; to the family of Steven Oken; and to all who suffer at the hands of violence.

I worship a God who is able to do great things, even to the point of healing senseless acts of violence, regardless of who or what perpetrates them. I invite you to join me in praying for that day when peace, like an ever-flowing stream, will exist in our land.

+Bishop Felton Edwin May

(Note: churches are encouraged to share this statement from their pulpit this Sunday morning, or in other appropriate settings.)