Religious leaders from across Missouri support clemency as an act of justice and mercy
Faith leaders from across Missouri have signed a letter urging Governor Mike Parson to “extend the healing power of clemency to Patty Prewitt” as she marks 35 years behind bars for a crime many believe she did not commit. Please add your voice by contacting the Governor. The letter is here:
Dear Governor Parson,
We are religious leaders who have provided spiritual guidance to your constituents throughout Missouri. Although we come from different faith traditions, we are united in our shared belief in justice and mercy. We are guided by these values when we ask that you grant clemency to Patty Prewitt.
This month, Patty will mark 35 years since she went to prison. During this time, she has brought hope, healing, and a sense of purpose to her fellow inmates through her participation in faith-based activities and acts of service. As one former inmate said, “I know unequivocally that I never would have found my way back to fully valuing myself had it not been for Patty’s influence and belief in me when I was struggling.” Indeed, the former head of the Department of Corrections, George Lombardi stated, “Despite her life sentence, Patty has accomplished more, given more, and touched the lives of more individuals than many of us outside of prison will ever achieve.”
We are also moved by the words of the Prewitt children who desperately want their mother home. Patty’s daughter has described the murder of her father and the conviction of her mother as a “double tragedy” that orphaned her and her siblings. Reuniting Patty with her children would give this family some measure of healing after three and half decades of painful separation.
As a man of faith, you understand that all of us are dependent on God’s mercy and have heard the call to extend it to others to realize God’s grace here on Earth. Executive clemency is a public act of mercy as well as an awesome constitutional responsibility. Clemency is also very likely Patty Prewitt’s only hope of being reunited with her family. Governor Parson, we humbly ask that you extend the healing power of clemency to Patty Prewitt.
Sincerely,
Rev. Kevin D. Anthony
St. Louis, MO
Evangelist Dan Brisbin
Kansas City, MO
Rev. Lou Dorn
Volunteer in Corrections Chaplain at Northeast Correctional Center & Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center
Vandalia, MO
Rev. Dan Doty
City Union Mission
Kansas City, MO
Diane Gozdzialski
Pastoral Associate
St. Cronan Catholic Church
St. Louis, MO
Rev. Ellen Hiatt
St. Louis, MO
Rev. Indira Grace Huerta
Lee’s Summit, MO
Bishop Clifford A. Jackson
St. Paul Monument of Faith Church of God in Christ
Kansas City, MO
Pastor Stephanie Knopf
Rock Presbyterian Church
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Hillsboro, MO
Lea E. Koesterer
St. Louis Friends of Bethlehem
St. Louis, MO
Minister Kenneth McClamb
The Ark of Safety Center
St. Louis, MO
Sister Mary Ann McGivern
Sisters of Loretto
St. Louis, MO
Rev. June Pearse
Retired Director of Pastoral Care SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
St. Louis, MO
Rabbi Ari Shachar
St. Louis, MO
Sr. Michelle Salois, RSM
St. Louis, MO
Debra K. Shatoff
Leader, The Threshold Society
St. Louis, MO
Mufti Asif Umar
Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis
Ballwin, MO