For Immediate Release
September 11, 2018
For more information:
Katlyn Toelle
(202) 541-5290
katlyn@catholicsmobilizing.org
Catholic Mobilizing Network Announces #HopeOverDeath Campaign
Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN), the national Catholic organization working to end the death penalty and promote restorative justice, announces the launch of the #HopeOverDeath Campaign to respond to last month’s historic Catechetical revision on capital punishment.
The #HopeOverDeath Campaign will ensure that Catholics across the country understand the Church’s official teaching, which states that the death penalty is “inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person.” (CCC 2267)
“Now is a powerful teaching moment for Catholics everywhere to ‘work with determination’ for an end to capital punishment, as the 2267 section of the Catechism states,” said CMN Executive Director Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy. “Through the #HopeOverDeath Campaign, CMN is paving a path forward for Catholics to take action in the 31 states that still have the death penalty on the books.”
As part of the Campaign, CMN has re-launched its National Catholic Pledge to End the Death Penalty. Garnering more than 20,000 signatures after its initial launch in 2017, the Pledge empowers Catholics and people of goodwill to educate, advocate, and pray for the abolition of the death penalty in the U.S.
“CMN is well-prepared to mobilize Catholics to answer the call to end the death penalty with opportunities like the Pledge that coalesce Catholic voices from around the country,” said Vaillancourt Murphy.
The #HopeOverDeath Campaign resources are available online for download, and include:
- The National Catholic Pledge to End the Death Penalty
- VIDEO (2-minute): “Inadmissible”: The Church’s Call for an End to the Death Penalty
- Prayer Cards in English or Spanish
- Fact sheets outlining the history of Catholic opposition to the death penalty
Additionally, with Respect Life Month starting next month, CMN offers a toolkit for diocesan programs and parishes to utilize in their pro-life activities all October long.
“This revision to the Catechism affirms that every person, no matter the harm they have suffered or caused, retains their God-given dignity,” said Vaillancourt Murphy. “It is our hope that the #HopeOverDeath Campaign will clarify any remaining ambiguity about the Church's opposition to capital punishment, and promote the inviolable dignity of all human life.”
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Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN), a sponsored ministry of the Congregation of St. Joseph that works in close collaboration with United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, proclaims the Church’s pro-life teaching and prepares Catholics for informed involvement in the public debate to end the death penalty and promote restorative justice.
