News

What You Can Do Right Now to Abolish the Death Penalty in Any State (and Why You Should Do It)

By Jeremy Schroeder, National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty February 16, 2012 – If you are reading this article, you are probably against the death penalty, and you probably know that the climate for abolishing the death penalty has drastically changed. Death sentences and executions are down, bills to repeal the death penalty have… MORE

An Interview with Rev. William Pickard, Prison Chaplain – Part 2

Catholic Mobilizing Network: This is our second interview, Father Bill, and I would like to focus on advocacy efforts you and others in Pennsylvania have undertaken to address the quality of life of prisoners in the state penal system. As we ended the interview in the CMN December Newsletter, the Pennsylvania Senate had just approved… MORE

An Interview with Rev. William Pickard, Prison Chaplain

Conducted by Sr. Kathie Uhler, OSF – Dec. 6, 2011 CMN: Greetings, Father Bill! Thank you for agreeing to share some of your experiences, concerns and thoughts about the life of prisoners on death row, the death penalty and the effect of pastoral advocacy for those on “the row.” Rev. William Pickard: Thank you for… MORE

Pope Speaks Out for End to Death Penalty

November 30, 2011 – Today “Pope Benedict XVI voiced support Wednesday for political actions around the world aimed at eliminating the death penalty, reflecting his stance as an opponent of capital punishment,” noted an Associated Press article – “Pope Seeks End to Death Penalty.” The article continues: “He made the comments during his weekly public… MORE

Oregon Governor Declares Moratorium on Executions

November 22, 2011 – In a statement released Tuesday, Gov. John Kitzhaber of Oregon announced a halt to all executions in the state. “I am convinced we can find a better solution that keeps society safe, supports the victims of crime and their families and reflects Oregon values,” Kitzhaber wrote. “I refuse to be a… MORE

CMN Speaker Dale Recinella Honored with ‘Law & Spirituality Award’

October 21, 2011 – On Thursday, Oct. 20, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jacksonville, Fla., CMN speaker Dale Recinella was presented with the ”Law & Spirituality Award” from the Catholic Lawyers Guild of the Diocese of St. Augustine. Recinella is a 20-year volunteer Catholic lay chaplain, who for over 13 years has served inmates on Death… MORE

CMN Featured in Catholic San Francisco Article

September 28, 2011 – CMN’s statement on Troy Davis and Lawrence Brewer was featured in Catholic San Francisco: “The executions of Davis and Brewer should remind us that racism is still a major issue in this country, and that our work to end the use of the death penalty should include work toward racial justice,”… MORE

CMN Statement on Troy Davis and Lawrence Brewer

Sept. 22, 2011 – The Catholic Mobilizing Network was hopeful those in positions of power and leadership would honor the dignity of all persons yesterday and exercise mercy for Troy Davis and Lawrence Brewer. The action of killing a person once rendered defenseless by the states degrades the dignity of all of us as citizens… MORE

An Update on CMN’s Office at Mount St. Mary’s University

By Vicki Schieber, Catholic Mobilizing Network September 16, 2011 – In our May edition of the CMN e-newsletter we promised to introduce the Mount-CMN programs and interns for the Fall 2011 semester. We are now in the third week of our new semester and are pleased to introduce our two interns, Megan Kinsella, a Junior, and Sarah… MORE

Oregon Parish Uses CMN Resources for Organizing Workshop

Aug. 20, 2011 - St. Henry Parish in Gresham used CMN materials for a workshop on strategies and actions to end use of the death penalty in Oregon. Participants learned the Catholic position on the death penalty — as well as practical arguments for ending it, such as the high risk of executing innocent people, the expense, the deterrence… MORE

CMN’s Executive Director Honored with Servitor Pacis Award

June 8, 2011 – Karen Clifton, Executive Director of Catholic Mobilizing Network, was awarded the 2011 Servitor Pacis Award by the Path to Peace Foundation, who represents the Vatican’s mission at the United Nations and beyond. The 19th Path to Peace Award was held at the New York Athletic Club in New York City on June… MORE

USCCB Statement on Illinois Death Penalty Repeal

March 10, 2011 -  The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) congratulated the Illinois bishops, the Catholic Conference of Illinois, the Catholic Mobilizing Network to End the Use of the Death Penalty, and all advocates for their work to bring about the repeal of the death penalty in Illinois.

View the Statement