Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger | Diocese of Tucson website

Jan 20 2024

By Gina Christian (OSV News) --

John and Sharon Echaniz, devout Catholics, experienced unimaginable pain when their 23-year-old son, Michael Echaniz, was murdered in March 2022. The couple fell to their knees and prayed as they faced the profound sorrow and deep anguish that followed. Michael, a beloved teacher, was shot to death by Mathew Wiessing, a former colleague who acted out of jealousy over Michael's relationship with his ex-girlfriend.

At Wiessing's sentencing hearing on Jan. 10, John Echaniz delivered a victim impact statement, expressing forgiveness and a desire for the killer to find redemption. He said, "As for me, I forgive you for what you've done. I earnestly desire for you to be with Michael, my son, in paradise one day. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart." Sharon Echaniz, unable to attend the hearing due to chemotherapy treatment, also wrote a reflection forgiving Wiessing and praying for him to find peace.

The Echanizes are now living out their offer of forgiveness, relying on their Catholic faith to implement the words of the Lord's Prayer: "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." John Echaniz acknowledged that forgiveness is a process and not a light switch. He said, "You immediately know, because of your faith, that it needs to be done. But humanly speaking ... you have to pray ... that you can do it, because everything about it ... you're kind of repelled. You want justice. And you're just like, 'OK, well, there's mercy that needs to be involved here. But I want justice.'"

The Echanizes spoke about the stages of grief and forgiveness, acknowledging that denial and anger were the initial steps. John Echaniz shared the heart-wrenching pain of seeing his son's lifeless body and the impact of the murder on their family. He said, "You murdered my son in cold blood. You crushed my whole family with one blow." Sharon Echaniz wrote about the missed opportunities for Wiessing to reflect, change course, and repent before committing the heinous act.

Michael Echaniz was remembered for his kindness, small courtesies, and willingness to serve others. The family's strong Catholic faith, evident in their daily recitation of the rosary and participation in Mass and Eucharistic adoration, has been crucial in sustaining them through the loss of their son.

The Echanizes expressed gratitude for their parish community's support and the guidance of their pastor and other priests. They acknowledged that forgiveness is a gradual process that requires God's grace and assistance. John Echaniz draws strength from St. Cyprian of Carthage's meditations on the Our Father, considering it the greatest prayer of all time.

In his statement, John Echaniz emphasized the urgency of forgiveness, stating, "Anger begets anger. Misery begets more misery; violence begets more violence. That cycle can only stop one person at a time, one heart at a time. And each of us can only start with ourselves."

The Echanizes' journey of forgiveness is a testament to the power of faith and the transformative nature of forgiveness. Their ability to forgive their son's killer demonstrates their unwavering commitment to their Catholic beliefs and their desire for redemption and healing.