Catholics Against Capital Punishment (CACP)
In honor of the work of Frank and Ellen McNeirney
Catholic Mobilizing Network is proud to carry on the work and legacy of Catholics Against Capital Punishment (CACP). This webpage explains the history of CACP and how CMN continues its critical mission to end the death penalty.
CACP was formed in 1992 by Francis (Frank) A. McNeirney of Maryland, who with the assistance of his wife, Ellen, built up a large, organized community of Catholics and people of goodwill in the fight against the death penalty. Before there was internet or cell phones, Frank and Ellen worked to raise awareness of the injustices of the death penalty and promote the Catholic Church’s unconditional pro-life stance, even for capital offenders. As the information age dawned, Frank and Ellen turned to email and the internet to carry those messages even further.
In December 2011, Frank completed his purpose on Earth, and God took him home. Soon thereafter, Ellen chose to retire from her work at CACP. However, she wanted to find a way for those who had joined the CACP cause to continue their advocacy for an end to the death penalty.
Less than three years prior, Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN) had been launched to help implement the US Bishops’ 2005 Catholic Campaign to End the Use of the Death Penalty. Frank was part of the discernment which resulted in the formation of CMN and was a trusted consultant in its early years. As a way to establish CACP’s legacy and deepen CMN’s impact, Ellen made arrangements with CMN’s Executive Director, Karen Clifton, to transition CACP’s website, operations, and business name to CMN’s use in perpetuity.
Now, old friends of CACP and new friends who simply find this webpage through their internet searches have the opportunity to be involved in a national, Catholic organization committed to ending the death penalty and promoting restorative justice. Many resources that you will see throughout website were inspired by CACP including inspirational stories, ecclesial documents, news items, articles, books, and videos. In this way, the great work of Frank and Ellen McNeirney and CACP will continue to bear much fruit in the name of life and justice. May Frank, from his place in the heart of God, continue to strengthen these efforts.
We invite you to be involved with Catholic Mobilizing Network and support our work to end the death penalty and promote restorative justice. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.