December 11, 2009
Bishop Gettelfinger: The execution of Eric Wrinkles
Editor’s note: Following is the text of a statement issued by Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger in regard to the death penalty in Indiana. The statement was released to newspapers throughout the state of Indiana.
The State of Indiana has scheduled the execution of convicted murderer Eric Wrinkles by lethal injection before sunrise on December 11, 2009 as he has exhausted all his avenues of appeal. He has not sought nor intends to seek clemency from Governor Mitch Daniels from his sentence of death.
Eric Wrinkles wantonly slaughtered his wife and two in-laws, members of an extended Evansville family, fourteen years ago while under the influence of meth. He is guilty of the murders. He has admitted his crime and has sought forgiveness from those whose lives he has shattered. He acknowledges that he is powerless to make appropriate restitution for what he has caused.
The State of Indiana has a constitutional right to execute Eric Wrinkles in order to protect its citizens and to prevent this man from ever committing such a crime again. Within that legal framework, Eric Wrinkles must pay for his heinous crime. He must die at the hands of the State of Indiana.
Capital punishment is a matter of justice under the law. But are there not other ways to exact justice for capital crimes without execution?
As the Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Evansville where Eric Wrinkles murdered, I am a member of the Indiana Catholic Conference. For over thirty years the Conference has persistently worked toward the abolition of capital punishment in the State of Indiana. To date we have not prevailed yet we are determined to continue our effort.
Capital punishment demands the life of the criminal to protect the members of society. On the “frontier” of our own land many years ago, execution provided quick and final justice. That may have been necessary to protect its citizens then as there were no means to separate the criminal from society for a lifetime. Protective custody was impossible.
“Frontier Justice” became the standard for states to protect their citizens from murderers by killing them. Frontier justice employs various means for killing criminals; they include hanging, firing squad, gas chamber or lethal injection. Quick justice utilized lynching outside the law. Death was the inevitable result. Society was protected.
It seems that we in the State of Indiana are still invoking frontier justice. Indiana is no longer the frontier. The State of Indiana is able to protect its citizens from murderous criminals by separating them from society by sentencing them to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Indiana citizens can be protected without executing its criminals.
However, one cannot ignore the reality that deep within the human being there is somehow a “blood lust” as ancient as human kind. Executions were made a public spectacle so as to teach a lesson, or worse were to satisfy base instincts for vengeance and retribution. They somehow gave approval, even applauded, the base instinct of hatred arising from ignorance and fear.
Ironically, executions are now sanitized and are accomplished virtually in secret. A public act of the State of Indiana taking place behind closed and locked doors? Who is kidding whom?
THE STATE OF INDIANA MUST NOT PANDER TO BASER HUMAN INSTINCTS.
Respectful of all faith traditions, Christians are taught by Jesus Himself that we are not only to forgive our enemies but we are also to love them without approving the wrongs they have committed.
Mary Winnecke of Evansville is an extraordinary example who lives up to that ideal. Her daughter, her daughter’s husband, and her husband’s sister were wantonly slaughtered by Eric Wrinkles. Mary continues to grieve the loss of her family. Nonetheless, Mary has not only forgiven Eric Wrinkles, she urges that the State of Indiana not kill him. It solves nothing nor will it bring peace to her or others suffering from his heinous acts. She prays for Eric Wrinkles.
Mary Winnecke, a grieving mother, continues to be a champion for the cause of abolishing the death penalty in the State of Indiana! May the State of Indiana and its leadership heed her pleas!
(Related story: Mater Dei students react to bishop’s death penalty stance)