Governor Kay Ivey

State Capitol
600 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36130

January 22, 2024

RE: A Joint Letter from Alabama Faith Leaders Expressing Concern Over Risks to
Spiritual Advisors in the Execution Chamber and Urging a Pause on Nitrogen Hypoxia
Executions

Dear Governor Ivey:

As leaders of faith communities across the great state of Alabama, we are writing to you about
our urgent concerns regarding the first-ever scheduled execution by nitrogen hypoxia. As you
know, nitrogen hypoxia is an untested and experimental procedure that poses potential undue
risks to spiritual advisors who wish to accompany the condemned individual in the execution
chamber, and other prison personnel and witnesses.

We are grateful that you paused executions last November 2022 and ordered a review
of the state’s execution process. This was a bold and necessary step following three botched
executions. We do not want to continue this legacy with yet another experimental execution
procedure which could have dire, unintended consequences and interfere with the vital role of
the spiritual advisor.

As faith leaders, we are responsible for guiding and shepherding thousands of Alabamians to
live out the tenets of their faith, to be ethical, moral, compassionate human beings. We share
the belief that the spiritual journey at the end of one’s life is sacrosanct and needless suffering at
the hands of the State where we live and worship demands our response.

We speak collectively in requesting that you not move forward with this untested method of
execution. There must be greater transparency concerning the safety protocols surrounding the
use of nitrogen hypoxia.

We are very concerned that Alabama would even contemplate a form of execution which
involves gassing people to death. How can we claim to be a state that values human life at all
stages if we continue to devalue life in this manner?

The death penalty also means that individuals who have repented and turned to God still face
execution by the State, despite their personal journeys of redemption. Moreover, we are
troubled by the fact that so many of the individuals who receive death sentences suffered from
untreated mental illness at the time of their crimes, experienced severe abuse and trauma
during their childhoods, have brain damage or other forms of intellectual disability, or committed
their crimes at such a young age, many before the age of 21.
The very least we can do is to ensure the time these men and women have left is not marred by
the fear of a tortuous death and that they are able to be accompanied by a spiritual advisor who
should be able to perform their role without risking their health and wellbeing.

We urge you to immediately pause the scheduled execution of Kenneth Smith, scheduled for
January 25th, and demand greater transparency around the use of nitrogen hypoxia. Please do
not let Alabama proceed with the untested and risky execution method. God’s Word is clear: all
life is precious. When there is life, there is hope.

Sincerely,

*Titles are for identification purposes only

The Rev. Eric Nathan Mancil, Rector

St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Episcopal
Andalusia, AL

Rev. Dr. Kathy Wolf Reed

First Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Auburn, AL

Rev. Marti Keller

Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Unitarian Universalist
Auburn, AL

The Rev. Diana Jordan Allende Minister Emerita

Auburn UU Fellowship. Unitarian Universalist
Auburn, AL

Rev. Dr. Fredna Grimmett

Ross Chapel Pine Level, AME Zion
Auburn, AL

Rev. Nicholas Reed

FPC Auburn, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Auburn, AL

Rev. Wayne Baker

Burrell Chapel AME, African Methodist Episcopal Church
Beulah, AL

Rev. Dollie Howell Pankey, Social Concerns Coordinator, 5th Episcopal District, Christian
Methodist Episcopal Church
Unity CME Church, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Bessemer, AL
Rev. Warren D. Williams, Pastor
Petty's Chapel AME Zion Church, AME Zion
Bessemer, AL

Reverend Stephanie York

Arnold Birmingham First United Methodist Church, United Methodist
Birmingham, AL

Rev. Nicole Newton

First Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Birmingham, AL

Senior Pastor Sharon A. Fowler Hawkins

St. Luke AME Zion Church, Methodist
Birmingham, AL

Rev. Dr. Sue Westfall

Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Birmingham, AL

Fisher Humphreys, Professor of Divinity, Emeritus, Samford University

Baptist Church of the Covenant, Alliance of Baptists
Birmingham, AL

Dr. D Clarke Skelton

Mountain Brook Baptist Church, Southern Baptist/Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
Birmingham, AL

Rev. Ronnie Brewer

Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, Baptist
Birmingham, AL

Rev. R LaMon Brown

Baptist Church of the Covenant, Alliance of Baptists
Birmingham, AL

Rev. Sandra Knedlik

East Lake United Methodist Church, Birmingham, United Methodist
Birmingham, AL

Fr. Joe Culotta Saint, Pastor

Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Catholic
Birmingham, AL
Sister Madeline Contorno
Benedictine Sisters, Roman Catholic
Birmingham, AL

Rev. Carolyn J. Foster, Deacon

St. Mark's, Episcopal
Birmingham, AL

Reverend Paula Champion Jones

Saint /Junia UMC, United Methodist
Birmingham, AL

Rabbi Steven Henkin

Temple Beth El, Jewish
Birmingham, AL

Reverend Sarah Wilcox

Smoot Church of the Reconciler UMC, United Methodist Church
Birmingham, AL

Reverend Emily Freeman Penfield

Woodlawn United Methodist Church, United Methodist
Birmingham, AL

Rev. Jose R Fernandez, PhD

Grace Episcopal Church - Woodlawn, Episcopal
Birmingham, AL

Rev. Dr. Tyler Christiansen

Grace United Methodist, United Methodist
Birmingham AL

Pastor David L. Barnhart, Jr.

Saint Junia UMC, United Methodist
Birmingham, AL

The Reverend Katy Smith

St Luke’s Episcopal Church, Episcopal
Birmingham, AL

Rev. Katie Gilbert, Executive Pastor

First United Methodist Church Birmingham, United Methodist
Birmingham, AL
Rev. Jennifer Sanders
Beloved Community Church, UCC, United Church of Christ
Birmingham, AL

The Rev. Cn. Kelley Hudlow, Coordinating Pastor

Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, Episcopal
Birmingham, AL

Rev. William M. King, Retired, Priest/Chaplain

St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Birmingham, Episcopal
Birmingham, AL

Most Rev. Theodore Feldmann, Bishop

Sanctuary of Divine Providence, Catholic Apostolic Church of Antioch
Birmingham, AL

Chaplain John Gregory

Valley Christian Church, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Birmingham, AL

The Reverend Peter Alan Helman

The Parish of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, The Episcopal Church
Birmingham, AL

Lynn Douglas, Outreach Coordinator

St. Paul UMC, United Methodist
Birmingham, AL

Jane Wilkerson, Clerk

Birmingham Friends Meeting, Quakers
Birmingham, AL

Rev. Erica Cooper, Pastor

Baptist Church of the Covenant, Alliance of Baptists
Birmingham, AL

Minister Sheryl Thornton

Canterbury UMC, United Methodist
Birmingham, AL

The Reverend Doreen Duley

Easy Lake United Methodist Church, United Methodist
Birmingham, AL
Mary Bea Sullivan, Director of Spirituality and Wellness
Saint Stephen's Vestavia Hills, Episcopal
Birmingham, AL

The Rev. William S.Blackerby, Jr.

St. Andrew’s and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
Birmingham, AL

Dr. Jane Hiles

Birmingham Friends Meeting (Quakers), The Religious Society of Friends
Birmingham, AL

Reggie Holder, Director of Ministries

Highlands United Methodist Church, United Methodist
Birmingham, AL

Rabbi Adam Wright

Birmingham Reform
Birmingham, AL

Daniel Schwartz, Executive Director

Faith in Action Alabama, Jewish
Birmingham, AL

Rev. Dr. Terry Hamilton-Poore

First Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Birmingham, AL

Bishop Harry L. Seawright

Ninth African Methodist Episcopal Church, AME
Birmingham, AL

Rev. Brenda Massey Clarke

Helpmate Ministries, Christian
Calera, AL

Senior Pastor James Ron Wilson

First Presbyterian Church, Carbon Hill, AL, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Carbon Hill, AL

Mary Simon, Steward

Tates Chapel AME, Methodist
Coy, AL
Dr. Harry V. Moore
St. John's Episcopal Church, Episcopal
Decatur, AL

The Rev. Evan Thayer, Rector

Trinity Episcopal Church, Episcopal
Demopolis, AL

Rev. Edward Seabron Sr., Pastor

Small Memorial AME Zion Church, Methodist
Demopolis, AL

Joyce Jones, Missionary

Greater Bethel AME, Methodist
Elba, AL

Rev. Willis N. Huggins, Jr.

Johns Chapel A.M.E. Church, Methodist,
Enterprise, AL

Reverend Elizabeth McCaskill

AME Zion Church, AME Zion
Evergreen, AL

The Rev. Dr. James S. Clifford, Pastor, Hospice Chaplain, Retired

Fairhope Christian Church, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Fairhope, AL

Rev. Dale R. Cohen, Senior Pastor

United Methodist
Florence, AL

Father Jonathan Howell, Pastor

St. Joseph Catholic Church, Roman Catholic
Florence, AL

Reverend Robert J. Gourley

Christ Chapel, Nondenominational
Florence, AL

Grandville Anderson, Pastor

Greater St. Paul AME Church Florence, Alabama African Methodist Episcopal Church
Florence, AL
Charlene Bulls-Mills, Retired Pastor
Greater Saint Paul AME Church, African Methodist Episcopal
Florence, AL

The Reverend John Stewart

Episcopal Church, Episcopal
Fosters, AL

Minister Justala Simpson

Mount Zion AME Zion Church (Hayneville, AL), AME Zion
Hayneville, AL

Rev. Cynthia Carter

All Saints Episcopal Church, Episcopalian
Homewood, AL

Reverend Paula Jones

Saint Junia UMC, United Methodist
Hoover, AL

Fr. Jon Chalmers, Pastor

Prince of Peace, Catholic
Hoover, AL

Rev. Dixie Bearden Ford, Pastor

Crosscreek Baptist Church, Baptist
Hoover, AL

Pastor Errol Davis

New Beginnings Christian Church, Baptist
Huntsville, AL

The Reverend Michael Goldsmith

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity, Episcopal
Huntsville, AL

Reverend Leonard D. Burton

St. Mark Huntsville, Baptist
Huntsville, AL

Minister Rev. Jaimie Dingus

Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville, Unitarian Universalist Association
Huntsville, AL
Rev. Eric Bagwell
Grace United Methodist Church
Huntsville, AL

Sharon R. Paige, Praise and Worship

New Zion AME Zion Church, Christian
Hurtsboro, AL

Pastor Matthew Andrews

Irondale United Methodist Church, United Methodist Church
Irondale, AL

Sister Deborah Kennedy, Religious Sister of Mercy (RSM)

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Catholic
Mobile, AL

The Rev. James Flowers

All Saints Episcopal Church, Episcopal
Mobile, AL

Reverend Tonny Algood

Freedom Church of the Poor, Non-Denomination
Mobile, AL

Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

Government Street Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Mobile, AL

Rabbi Dr.Edward Sandon Boraz

Springhill Temple, Jewish
Mobile, AL

Reverend Johnny Millard Doyle, III

FBC Mobile, Baptist
Mobile, AL

Debra Scott Weatherspoon, 9th Episcopal District YPD Director

Samuel Chapel AME Church, Methodist
Mobile, AL

Rev. Ulmer Marshall, Pastor

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lutheran
Mobile, AL
Rabbi Steven Silberman
Congregation Ahavas Chesed, Jewish
Mobile, AL

Presiding Elder Charles Lewis

Mobile District 9th Episcopal District AMEC, African Methodist Episcopal
Mobile, AL

Michele Wilson, Conference Youth Director

Bethel AME Church, African Methodist Episcopal
Mobile, AL

Rev.Shane Isner
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Montgomery
Montgomery, AL

Pastor Emeritus Edward J. Nettles

Freewill Baptist Church, Baptist
Montgomery, AL

Pastor Agnes Maria Lover

Saint Paul AME Church Methodist
Montgomery, AL

Minister Lynn Hopkins

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Montgomery,Unitarian Universalist
Montgomery, AL

Pastor Robert A. Wagstaff

New Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Baptist
Montgomery, AL

Rev. Tiffany C. Chaney, Pastor

Gathered by Grace, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Montgomery, AL

Mr. Muaath Abdellah Al-Khattab

Masjid Qasim Bilal El-Amin, Islam/Muslim
Montgomery, AL

Dr. Sally Lyobebe, Pastor

Omega Fire Ministries, Pentecostal
Montgomery, AL
Pastor Valtoria Garnier Jackson
St Peter AME Church Montgomery, African Methodist Episcopal
Montgomery, AL

Pastor Madison Roberts

Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Mountain Brook, AL

John Neville, Ph.D.

Valley Christian Church, Disciples of Christ (Christian Church)
Mountain Brook, AL

Cantor Michael J Zoosman

“L’chaim! Jews Against the Death Penalty”
National

Rev. Diana Jordan Allende

Auburn UU Fellowship, Unitarian Universalist
Opelika, AL

Associate Pastor Ava Rozelle

Pell City First United Methodist Church, United Methodist
Pell City, AL

Sister Virginia Patrick

Congregation of Divine Providence of KY, Catholic
Selma, AL

Kenesia Cade, Steward

St. Paul AME Church, AME
Thomaston, AL

Reverend Caroline Kelly

Grace Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Tuscaloosa, AL

Rev. Lou Ann Sellers, Associate Pastor

First Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Tuscaloosa, AL

Reverend Emily Frandsen

1st Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Tuscaloosa, AL
Rev. Dr. J. L. Cammon
AME Zion Church, Methodist
Tuscaloosa, AL

Rev. Lori Maxey

The House Tuscaloosa, Presbyterian
Tuscaloosa, AL

Kendra Jacobs, Pastor

St. Paul AME Church, AME
Tuscaloosa, AL

Pastor Kerri Minor Sr.

County Line AME Zion, AME Zion
Union Springs, AL

Pastor Emeritus Gary Furr

Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, Baptist
Vestavia Hills, AL

The Reverend Emily Collette

The Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Episcopal
Vestavia Hills, AL

Pastor Dr. Eric C. Little

Freemount A.M.E. Church, African Methodist Episcopal Church,
Eufaula, AL

Rev. Loretta Moore, Pastor

Fuller Greater St Joseph A.M.E Church, Methodist
Autaugaville, AL

Shirley A. Mitchell, AME Board Member/Local Steward

Wright's Chapel Methodist
Jasper, AL

Rev. Arthur Turner

Grant Chapel Eastlake Methodist
Birmingham, AL

Pastor Michael Miller

New Seed of Faith AMEC, AME
Montgomery, AL
Steward Daren Wilson
Saint Paul/ Ozark A.M.E.
Ozark, AL

Reverend Emma Francine Constant, Pastor

Antioch AME Church, African Methodist Episcopal
Gainestown, AL

Pastor Michele Jefferson

Wright’s Chapel AME Church, Methodist
Birmingham, AL

Local Elder Channie Chapman

Brown Chapel AME Church, Methodist
Selma, AL

Pastor Desi Morgan Sr.

Hurts Chapel AME, African Methodist Episcopal
Hurtsboro, AL

Pastor Horace Winters

United AME Church, African Methodist Episcopal
Verbena, AL

Steward Clifton Shipman

Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church, Methodist
Elba, AL

Reverend Sheryl Shipman

Hopewell AME, Methodist
Birmingham, AL

Pastor Irvin Leonard

St. PAUL AME, African Methodist Episcopal
Tuscumbia, AL

Reverend Brian Blackwell

St. Paul AME Church
Birmingham, AL

Reverend James Parker

Lee Chapel/ Auburn Al, A M.E.C.
Auburn, AL
Rev. Arthur D. Washington Sr.
Coppins Chapel A.M.E
Quinton, AL

Pastor Monique Summers

St. Luke AME Church
Valley, AL

Rev. Dr. Letitia Watford

Tuskegee District, AME Church
Montgomery, AL