Catholic Mobilizing Network to End the Use of the Death Penalty is a part of Ministry Against the Death Penalty, a 501c3 nonprofit organization sponsored by the Congregation of St. Joseph. Originating through the ministries of Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ, one of the leading voices against the death penalty in the United States, this ministry conducts and facilitates public forums, studies, open discussions, publications and presentations concerning the impact of social justice on the underprivileged. The Ministry also includes the Dead Man Walking School Theatre Project, which facilitates the performance of the stage play of Tim Robbins’ Dead Man Walking - based on Sr. Helen’s book of the same name – to be performed at colleges and universities across the nation. Additionally, CMN conducts its work in cooperation with the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB).
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February 2012 - State Legislative Update, Prayer Resources for Lent
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is an assembly of the hierarchy of the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands who jointly exercise certain pastoral functions on behalf of the Christian faithful of the United States. The purpose of the Conference is to promote the greater good which the Church offers humankind, especially through forms and programs of the apostolate fittingly adapted to the circumstances of time and place. This purpose is drawn from the universal law of the Church and applies to the episcopal conferences which are established all over the world for the same purpose.
The Dead Man Walking School Theatre Project integrates the power of theatre arts and academic study into the national discourse on the death penalty to replace ignorance, apathy, and cynicism among young people regarding the death penalty with information, introspection, and inspiration. Since the launch of the project in the fall of 2003, more than 170 high schools and colleges across the country have produced the play, conducted academic courses on the death penalty, and brought the issue to life on their campuses through art, music, and public education and action events.
Sister Helen Prejean has been instrumental in sparking national dialogue on the death penalty and helping to shape the Catholic Church’s newly vigorous opposition to state executions. She considers herself a southern storyteller and she travels around the world giving talks about her ministry.