Mission & Principles

Our work to end the death penalty, advance justice, and begin healing is rooted in these shared principles.

Our Mission Statement

Catholic Mobilizing Network is a national organization that mobilizes Catholics and all people of goodwill to value life over death, to end the use of the death penalty, to transform the U.S. criminal legal system from punitive to restorative, and to build capacity in U.S. society to engage in restorative practices. Through education, advocacy, and prayer, and based on the Gospel value that every human is created in the image and likeness of God, CMN expresses the fundamental belief that all those who have caused or been impacted by crime should be treated with dignity. 

CMN works in close collaboration with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and is a founding member of the Congregation of St. Joseph Mission Network. 

Our Guiding Principles

Closely connected to CMN’s mission are guiding principles that illuminate the way of proceeding for CMN. All of CMN’s efforts to end the death penalty, advance justice, and begin healing strive to:

Uphold DIGNITY

In recognition that each of us has been created in the image and likeness of God and possesses inherent dignity and worth

Build JUST RELATIONSHIPS

In acknowledgement that we are all interconnected and that our faith calls us into right relationship with God, creation, and one another

Seek HEALING

In recognition that pervasive brokenness exists in individuals, communities, and systems, and that restorative practices and approaches can heal trauma, interrupt or break destructive cycles, and give rise to a new creation from that woundedness

Promote ACCOUNTABILITY

In acknowledgement that we are mutually responsible for one another, and that transparency and honesty are needed with ourselves and others

Enable TRANSFORMATION

In pursuit of a kind of justice that promotes individual, collective, as well as structural healing and change

Advance RACIAL EQUITY

In affirmation that all people are created equally by God, and therefore deserve to be treated fairly and equitably, regardless of their racial, ethnic, educational, and cultural backgrounds

We support:

In pursuit of CMN’s mission and vision, CMN affirms and supports diverse efforts toward life-giving and healing forms of justice, including current advocacy and social movements striving for:

  • An end to the death penalty and systems of mass incarceration
  • Racial justice and equity
  • Responses to harm that honor the dignity and rights of victims and survivors
  • Redemptive, reintegrative, and preventative approaches to addressing crime and wrongdoing
  • Community-based violence prevention, trauma healing, and resilience
  • Increased partnership and collaboration between our criminal/legal systems and the communities they serve

Recent News

Explore the latest news from CMN plus the national movements to end the death penalty and advance justice and healing.

CMN Hosts the 2024 Justice Reimagined Awards & Celebration

Hundreds of dedicated advocates and inspirational visionaries joined Catholic Mobilizing Network at the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See for the third Justice Reimagined Awards & Celebration on October 10, 2024, World Day Against the…

Photo Gallery: Justice Reimagined 2024

On October 10, 2024 — World Day Against the Death Penalty — CMN hosted the Justice Reimagined Awards & Celebration to honor committed witnesses to its mission and celebrate the organization’s 15th anniversary. Below are…

Death Penalty Quarterly | October 2024

Capital punishment is a problematic system. This reality has been highlighted in the past quarter through individual cases and developments within our states. Individuals have been executed despite clear racial bias and strong claims of…

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