Nuns to reflect on anniversary of McVeigh execution

Tuesday, May 28th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) _ The Sisters of Providence are planning a panel to discuss the death penalty as a way to mark the first anniversary of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh's federal execution.

The nuns will meet with local and national capital punishment experts on June 7 in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at St. Mary-of-the-Woods.

McVeigh's execution at the federal prison outside Terre Haute was on June 11 last year, the first execution by the federal government in 38 years. It was followed just eight days later by the death of Juan Raul Garza, who was convicted of murder and drug trafficking.

``We thought that we need to keep the dialogue going,'' said Sister Ann Margaret O'Hara, general superior with Sisters of Providence.

Five speakers, all with anti-death penalty views, will attend the panel discussion. O'Hara said others with more favorable views toward capital punishment were invited, including Indiana Gov. Frank O'Bannon and legislators that supported death penalty legislation.

They all declined, she said.

O'Hara hopes some people who attend the event will have different views and will contribute to the discussion.