Dale Recinella, author of the book “A Christian on Death Row” (LEV, previewed for the Rimini Meeting) has been involved in prison ministry for over 30 years. For 25 of those years he was an external chaplain for Florida death row inmates and, with his wife, Dr. Susan Recinella, served during executions: he as a spiritual assistant to the inmate until death, and his wife as a lay minister to the inmate’s family. They have also assisted the families and loved ones of non-capital murder victims.

Mr. Recinella, who holds a Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) summa cum laude from the Institute of Pastoral Theology at Ave Maria University (2009) and a Juris Doctor magna cum laude from Notre Dame University Law School (1976), is a licensed attorney in Florida and has taught international law/business ethics in Europe, at the undergraduate and graduate levels, at St. John’s University in the Vatican (Oratorio) and Temple University in Rome; and designed and taught Reliable and Accountable Prison Counseling, Prison Certification Program, and Inmate Counseling, online in the Theology Department at Saint Leo University, Saint Leo, Florida USA (2013 – 2015). He was a Community of Faith columnist for The Tallahassee Democrat and was a pro-life/prison and death penalty columnist for Florida Catholic statewide for over a decade; publishes a monthly column on prison ministry, Dal Braccio della Morte, in L’Osservatore Romano [the English edition is published on Fridays and is distributed by subscription worldwide]. In September 2021, the couple was received in personal audience by Pope Francis in Rome. Dale has received:

– ​Thomas A. Horkan, Jr. Distinguished Catholic Leader Award, presented by the Bishops of Florida (March 8, 2023).

– ​Guardian of Life Award (Inaugural), Pontifical Academy for Life, Vatican City (September 28, 2021)

– ​Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, presented by Pope Francis, through the Bishops of Florida (2015).

– ​Dove Award for extraordinary service to the Tallahassee community, Good News Outreach (2017).

– ​Law & Spirituality Award, Catholic Lawyers Guild, St. Augustine Diocese (2011).

– ​Humanitarian Award, Franciscan Alumni Association (2001).

– ​Catholic Press Award, Catholic Press Association (2000).

– ​University of Notre Dame Exemplar, Faith and Citizenship in Action (1997).

– ​Volunteer Citizen of the Year, by the Executive Staff of Florida State Prison (2013) and by the Chaplains of Union Correctional Institution (2000).

He has spoken frequently on Vatican Radio around the world, has addressed audiences nationally and in Europe, and has raised 5 children with Dr. Susan and 15 grandchildren.