Archbishop Coakley on the Execution Carlos Cuesta-Rodriguez "I am disheartened as the State of Oklahoma continues along an ominous path"
Carlos Cuesta-Rodriguez was executed by lethal injection on August 13, 2026, at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, Oklahoma. Archbishop Paul Coakley released a statement on the execution Cuesta-Rodriguez: "As a proud resident of this great state, I am disheartened as the State of Oklahoma continues along an ominous path, carrying out executions with a frequency and regularity that places it among the nation’s leaders with such a dubious distinction."
The crime victim: Olimpia Fisher, age 43, his common-law wife.
- Incident: On May 31, 2003, Cuesta-Rodriguez shot and killed Fisher at their Oklahoma City home.
- Clemency and Final Requests
- Inmate's Stance: Cuesta-Rodriguez, age 70, openly stated to the board that he did not want or deserve mercy and that "it's time for me to pay for what I did." His primary wish was to apologize to Fisher’s daughters. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
- Defense Argument: His lawyers actively cited a traumatic childhood in Cuba, organic brain damage, and PTSD, though these appeals failed. [1, 2, 3, 4]
- During the execution of Carlos Cuesta-Rodriguez on August 13, 2026, a spiritual advisor—identified as Father Kheit Nguyen, a Catholic priest from Coalgate, Oklahoma—stood present at his feet inside the execution chamber. [1, 2, 3]
- Spiritual and Faith Context
- Reconnection with Faith: While on death row, Cuesta-Rodriguez reconnected deeply with his Catholic faith and regularly met with Father Kheit for spiritual support. [1, 2]
- Presence in the Chamber: As permitted by Oklahoma Department of Corrections protocols for spiritual advisors, Father Kheit accompanied Cuesta-Rodriguez directly into the death chamber and stood near the gurney during the procedure. [1, 2]
- Church Advocacy: Ahead of the execution, Catholic organizations, including Catholics Mobilizing Network and local faith leaders, actively advocated for his clemency, citing his profound remorse, age, failing health, and church teachings against capital punishment. Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul Coakley also publicly lamented the execution sequence, urging society toward a more restorative and humane form of justice. [1, 2, 3, 4]
- Inmate's Family Statement: His family released a statement noting he spent his decades on death row deeply remorseful, living humbly, creating art, and showing consistent kindness to other inmates. [1]
As a proud resident of this great state, I am disheartened as the State of Oklahoma continues along an ominous path, carrying out executions with a frequency and regularity that places it among the nation’s leaders with such a dubious distinction.
Today, I feel sadness as the loss of life continued with the execution of Carlos Cuesta-Rodriguez through lethal injection.
Let us all pray and work for a more humane form of justice, one that maintains a hope for redemption and maintains respect for the God-given dignity of each life, even for those who have committed a grave crime.
Of course, great concern and compassion is vital for the victims and their families, as they contend with incredible grief in the aftermath of heinous crimes. There’s a need to pray for healing for those families, accompanying them when possible.
There’s a need, too, to pray for the perpetrators, remembering that human life is a gift from God and the right to life cannot be erased, even for those guilty of severe crimes.
Capital punishment does not provide justice. Our modern prisons are secure. Life imprisonment offers assurance that citizens are not at risk. And it allows for a conversion of hearts.
Oklahoma was one of three states – joining Tennessee and Alabama – scheduled to administer the death penalty today. And it is the state’s third execution this year, as well as the 132nd since resuming executions in 1990.
Please join me in praying for the victim of this crime, Olimpia Fisher, and her family, as well as Carlos Cuesta-Rodriguez and his family.
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