Florida’s Bishops urge Governor DeSantis to spare the life of Glen Rogers

(May 8, 2025) – Florida’s Catholic bishops have appealed to Gov. Ron DeSantis to stay the execution of Glen Rogers and commute his sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Rogers is scheduled to be executed on May 15 for the 1995 murder of Tina Marie Cribbs in Florida. He also received a sentence of death for the murder of Sandra Gallagher in California and is suspected of committing several other murders across the country.

In a letter to DeSantis, FCCB Executive Director Michael Sheedy noted that Rogers is guilty of violations of human life and dignity. “These are terrible crimes, and we mourn the tragic deaths of the victims and pray for the repose of their souls. We lament the pain and suffering of their family and friends, and we hope for their comfort and healing.”

Recognizing the state’s responsibility to protect its citizens and impose punishment for crimes, the bishops nevertheless urged the governor to spare Rogers’ life. “Society should be protected from him; but the state need not kill him,” wrote Sheedy.

The Catholic Church teaches that all human life is sacred. Even people who have committed terrible acts and caused great harm possess a human dignity instilled by God, our Creator. The death penalty attacks the inviolability of the human person and perpetuates the cycle of violence that is prevalent in our culture. Given our modern penal system, executions are unnecessary. Life-long incarceration without the possibility of parole is a severe yet more humane punishment that ensures societal safety, allows the guilty the possibility of redemption, and offers closure for victims of crime and their families.

Before Rogers’ scheduled execution, Floridians will gather across the state to pray for him, his victims, and their families. Prayers will also be said for an end to the use of the death penalty, as well as for DeSantis as he considers the request to stay the execution.

Full text of letter to DeSantis

Prayer Vigils Planned for Thursday, May 15

As people of faith, we are called to pray for the dignity of every human life—those sentenced to death, those who suffer from violence and those who carry out the state’s decisions. On May 15, the following parishes and the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche of St. Augustine will host Eucharistic Adoration to offer prayers for mercy, healing and justice:

Santa Maria Del Mar Parish

Holy Hour at 8:00 a.m. followed by Mass at 9:00 a.m.
915 N. Central Ave., Flagler Beach 32136

St. Paul Parish – Riverside

Main Church Adoration
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
2609 Park St., Jacksonville, FL 32204

St. Joseph Parish – Jacksonville

Cody Adoration Chapel
9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
4152 Loretto Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32258

National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche – St. Augustine

Exposition in Main Church: 1 to 3 p.m.
Historic Church: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
101 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine, FL 32084

Corpus Christi Parish – St. Augustine

Adoration Chapel
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
6175 Datil Pepper Rd., St. Augustine, FL 32086

Holy Faith Catholic Church – Gainesville

Prayer Vigil
5:30 to 6:30pm
747 NW 43rd St., Gainesville, FL 32607