Virginia Abolishes “Immoral and Racist” Death Penalty
(Washington, D.C.) Virginia became the 23rd U.S. state to abolish capital punishment Wednesday after Governor Ralph Northam signed bipartisan death penalty repeal legislation into law.
Press Statement
Catholic Mobilizing Network rejoices in abolition of Virginia’s death penalty
(Washington, D.C.) Catholic Mobilizing Network rejoices with the state of Virginia after lawmakers in both houses voted to abolish the death penalty Friday. With the repeal of this racially biased and irreparably broken practice, Virginia solidifies itself as the first southern state that will officially take capital punishment off the books.
Amid final wave of federal executions, Catholic petition urges President-elect Biden to outlaw the practice
(Washington, D.C.) A new petition launched Monday by Catholic Mobilizing Network calls on President-elect Joseph Biden to prioritize an end to the federal death penalty as he prepares to take office on Jan. 20, 2021.
New Report Paints 2020 Death Penalty Use an “Aberration”
(Washington, DC) A new report released Wednesday by the Death Penalty Information Center paints 2020 as an anomalous year with regard to the use of capital punishment.
Catholic Mobilizing Network Condemns Tidal Wave of Federal Executions
(Washington, DC) The federal government plans to execute Brandon Bernard and Alfred Bourgeois on consecutive days this week — the latest executions in the Trump administration’s unprecedented 2020 killing spree.
Catholic Mobilizing Network Lauds Denunciation of Death Penalty in “Fratelli Tutti”
In “Fratelli Tutti,” the latest papal encyclical released by Pope Francis on Oct. 4 on the topic of "fraternity and social friendship," the Holy Father makes an unequivocal reaffirmation of the inadmissibility of capital punishment in the eyes of the Catholic Church. “There can be no stepping back from this position,” Pope Francis writes.
Virtual Conference to Expand Catholic Engagement with Restorative Justice
(Washington, DC) Catholic Mobilizing Network is pleased to announce a first-ever 3-day event, Harm, Healing, and Human Dignity: An All-Virtual Catholic Conference on Restorative Justice, to take place on October 27, 29, and 31 in collaboration with the University of San Diego Center for Restorative Justice and the Catholic Diocese of San Diego.
AG Barr To Receive “Catholic” Award Hours After Authorizing Execution
(Washington, DC) Hours after authorizing the federal government’s execution of William LeCroy — an express violation of Catholic teaching — Attorney General William Barr is set to receive the Christifideles Laici award Wednesday from an independent organization identified as the “National Catholic Prayer Breakfast.”
Catholic Bishops, Religious, and Laypeople to Pray Against Federal Executions
(Washington, DC) Catholic bishops, men and women religious, and laypeople will come together next week for two Virtual Prayer Vigils hosted by Catholic Mobilizing Network surrounding the federal government’s planned executions of William LeCroy (Sept. 22) and Christopher Vialva (Sept. 24).
The Federal Government Executes Lezmond Mitchell Against Navajo Opposition
(Washington, DC) The federal government executed Lezmond Mitchell, the only Native American on the federal death row, on Wednesday despite vocal opposition from the Navajo Nation.
