Sister Janet Offers Dignity
May 27, 2023
This article appears in the May 2023 Issue of Reflections and Connections
While serving in a L’Arche community in Mobile, Alabama, Sister Janet Ahler, CSA, was invited by two staff members to visit Holman prison in Atmore, the holding prison for men awaiting execution. In the CSA spirit of “pastoral concern for those whose faith life or human dignity is threatened” (CSA Constitutions # 4), she was soon a regular visitor with James Bill Hubbard. James consistently held that he was innocent of the murder for which he was charged and condemned.
At the time of James’ sentencing, if a person had an IQ of 70 or less in Alabama, he was not sentenced to death. James had an IQ of 71. James was simple and straightforward. “You are like a mother to me,” Sister recalls James saying to her during one of her visits.
The day prior to his execution, Sister Janet joined members of Kairos in visiting and praying with James. Kairos is a lay-led, interdenominational Christian ministry in which men and women volunteers bring Christ's love and forgiveness to prisoners and their families. James’ daughter served as the witness of the execution. It was a memory that Sister Janet said she did not need, though she accompanied another man on his last day. Meeting with his family and with members of Kairos, she offered comfort to his family by relating the good this condemned man had done in prison, shielding people new to the prison from being taken advantage of by others, and aiding them in preparation for court procedures.
Since this interview, Sister Janet has succumbed to cancer. Up to that time she had been corresponding with a man on death row in Ohio. She had always promised to pray for him, but said in her last letter to him, “It is your turn to pray for me.”
For years, Sister Janet took turns with sisters and associates writing to the people whose execution dates were drawing near, promising the prayers of the CSA community for them. The Sisters of St. Agnes have taken a public stance in opposition to the death penalty in line with the teaching of Pope Francis and the Catholic Church. You can join this ministry by learning more at www.csasisters.org/dignity