At 6 p.m., Aug. 28, 2025, the State of Florida executed Curtis Windom, the 11th person executed in the state in 2025, extending a gruesome record for the state that seems to have no limit.
While Windom was being executed, prayer vigils were taking place across the state seeking an end to the death penalty. One such prayer vigil took place at San Pedro Parish in North Port.
Deacon Rich Frohmiller led the prayer vigil and said that those present were not there to debate the guilt or innocence of Windom, as he was convicted by a jury of killing three people in the Orlando area in 1992. Nor were they there to justify his violent behavior, but rather they were there to pray for the victims of his crime and for the soul of the man to be executed this evening.
“We gather here this evening to represent those who are against the death penalty,” Deacon Frohmiller said. “The Lord calls us to be here protecting His great gift of life. It’s important to continue to gather and pray without ceasing for the elimination of the death penalty. We are taught to respect the dignity of every person, and we pray that we are never silent about the deliberate taking of a life by the State ‘on our behalf.’”
Present for the prayer vigil were more than two dozen, including Bishop Frank J. Dewane. Bishop Dewane’s presence was in unity with those who stand vigil for each execution. At the conclusion of the prayer service, the Bishop offered the closing prayer. Afterwards he personally thanked individuals for attending.
Bishop Dewane has joined the other Florida Bishops in expressing outrage at the spate of executions in Florida which surpassed a record of executions in one year (8), with no sign of stopping. The Florida Bishops call on Gov. Ron DeSantis to stop signing death warrants, and to revert all execution sentencing to life without parole, a fair and reasonable sentencing in a modern world.
While a call from the Florida Bishops might have some sway over the Governor, Bishop Dewane said prayer remains a powerful weapon in this battle.
“Prayer vigils, such as the ones that take place at San Pedro make a difference,” Bishop Dewane said. “We pray to the Lord not only for the person scheduled to be executed, but for the victims of the condemned, and for all of those in the justice system who had a hand in making these executions happen.”
Bishop Dewane said, “At the heart of Catholic teaching on the death penalty is the truth that human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God, and every person’s life has dignity and worth, ‘no matter the harm one has suffered or caused.’”
The prayer service included hymns and a reading from the Gospel of Matthew 5:38-48, when Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.” Jesus teaches that we should step beyond what we perceive as our right, and to respond with love. While the Old Testament includes some passages about taking the life of one who kills, the Old Testament and the teaching of Christ in the New Testament call us to protect life, practice mercy, and reject vengeance.
The North Port prayer vigil also included the praying of the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary and offered intercessions seeking to eliminate capital punishment in Florida and elsewhere. The prayer service poignantly paused at 6 p.m. (the time of the execution) to pray in silence.
Since the reinstatement of the death penalty in Florida in 1976, 117 people have been put to death, including Windom. Death warrants have already been signed for two more. David Joseph Pittman, 63, is set to be the 12th person executed in Florida if his death sentence is carried out as scheduled on Sept. 17. The execution of Victor Tony Jones is scheduled for Sept. 30.
Deacon Frohmiller said he will continue to hold a prayer vigil for each scheduled execution, no matter how often they occur. “It is disturbing that this is happening so frequently, but we are called to pray, and will continue to do so until executions end in Florida.”
The execution prayer vigils are held at San Pedro Parish Chapel, 14380 Tamiami Trail, North Port, and begin at 5:30 p.m., lasting less than an hour. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.