Abolition
Campaigns
CMN empowers Catholics to champion legislative death penalty repeal through a strategic blend of education, advocacy, and prayer. Here’s how we do it.
How We Advocate
Research shows that nearly 80% of Catholics are open to supporting legislation to abolish the death penalty. Yet many are unsure of where to begin their advocacy journey. CMN addresses this gap by strategically engaging Catholics in regions where the death penalty persists, advancing repeal legislation through a multifaceted approach of education, advocacy, and prayer.
We play a central role in state and federal repeal campaigns, collaborating closely with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, state Catholic conferences, local dioceses, religious communities, and secular abolition groups. Together, we form a strong, unified Catholic voice calling for abolition.
At both the state and federal level, you’ll find us:
- Organizing prayer vigils, press events, webinars, and speaking tours
- Developing resources for parishes, dioceses, and other faith communities
- Connecting key players, like Church leaders and abolition movement organizers
- Amplifying Catholic abolition work in the media
Why Catholic Mobilization Matters
Mobilizing Catholics isn’t just an act of faith; it’s a strategic investment. The national anti-death penalty movement recognizes Catholics as a critical force due to their substantial size and moral influence. In states like Florida, Louisiana, Ohio, and Texas, where the death penalty still exists, the Catholic population is large, and its voice holds significant sway. Catholics are also well-represented in public office at all levels of government, and can rightly be influenced by faith-rooted arguments against the death penalty.
Catholic advocacy has catalyzed enormous progress in the abolition movement in recent years. Since CMN was founded in 2009, nine new states have abolished the death penalty. Today, a majority of states (29) have now either formally outlawed capital punishment or paused executions by executive action.
The Impact of Catholic Advocacy
9 state death penalty repeals
65% decline in annual executions
80% decline in annual death sentences
Take Action
Explore opportunities for legislative advocacy.
Urge Gov. DeWine — Take Clemency Action Now!
Ohio Clemency Petition Urge Gov. DeWine to take clemency action on Ohio’s death row before he leaves office. Tell Gov. DeWine — Take Clemency Action Now! Join us in urging Gov. DeWine to continue his positive leadership on the issue of the death penalty by granting commutations to those on Ohio’s death row before he…Urge Gov. Newsom — Take Clemency Action Now!
California Clemency Petition Urge Gov. Newsom to grant universal clemency, commuting all death row sentences in California. Tell Gov. Newsom — Take Clemency Action Now! We’re calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to enact universal clemency, a bold measure that would commute every death row sentence in California. There are nearly 600 individuals sentenced to death…
Help CMN end the death penalty
Join our community to educate, advocate, and pray for abolition.