Catholic advocates against the death penalty have assailed the state of Missouri for proceeding with the first execution to occur during the pandemic, despite the efforts to stop it.
Death Penalty
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
This Lent, U.S. Catholics are called to reckon with the sin of capital punishment
In the middle lands of these 40 days, I am burdened by the fact that our society has not yet reckoned with the ongoing sin of capital punishment nor the full extent of our country’s racist past.
Posted inArts & Culture, Film
In ‘Sister,’ state retribution is no match for Helen Prejean
To its benefit, “Sister,” directed by Joe Cardona and José L. Vázquez, does not focus exclusively on Sister Helen’s work against the death penalty but also discusses her early life and spiritual formation.
Posted inFaith, Jesuitical
What’s it like to say Mass on death row? An interview with the Jesuit chaplain of San Quentin prison
Each day, George Williams, S.J., passes through metal doors plastered with the word “CONDEMNED” to minister to the men of San Quentin State Prison.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
For those on death row, redemption of souls is what matters most
Regardless of where one stands on the death penalty, however, all Catholics must not lose sight of the souls on death row who await the judgment that state-enforced terminations will quicken.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
New report shows decreased use of death penalty in U.S.
32 states have now either abolished the death penalty or not carried out an execution in more than a decade
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Supreme Court leaves temporary stop on federal executions in place
U.S. Attorney General William Barr announced in July that the government was reinstating the federal death penalty
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
We’ve been bishops in 3 death penalty states. It’s time to stop federal executions for good.
A federal judge has placed federal executions on hold. Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory and Bishop Frank J. Dewane write that we should turn back permanently from the path of death.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
In major shift most Americans now support life in prison over death penalty
The poll showed 60% prefer that convicted murders receive a sentence of life imprisonment, while 36% said capital punishment would be better.
Posted inFaith, News
Japanese boxer formerly on death row attended Pope Francis’ Mass
Japan, the United States and South Korea are the only nations in the OECD group of developed economies that have the death penalty.