Nancy J. Jones, OblOSB

North Carolina has become my home since 1988. I am a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Community in Raleigh, NC – part of the Diocese of Raleigh.

In 2019 I joined the parish’s Pen Pal Ministry which supports the men on Death Row at Central Prison, Raleigh. I’d volunteered in other prisons, but writing someone on death row was new to me. I had no idea how it would forever change my life. After receiving the first letter from my pen pal, I became as involved in the anti-death penalty movement as I possibly could! I even began an online Divine Mercy Chaplet prayer vigil with parishioners, on the day of every execution around the US.

In January 2021, I met Deacon Joshua Klickman, Diocesan Coordinator for Human Life & Dignity. Starting as an anti-death penalty discussion, led to our cofounding an organization to educate Catholics about the intrinsic evil of capital punishment. He and I met weekly and by May, Catholics for Abolition in North Carolina was born.

I am a spiritual director and have met with two men on death row in this ministry. I’ve also learned about restorative justice practices through the terrific programs that Catholic Mobilizing Network offers. I hope to bring such a program to a prison in the Raleigh area of North Carolina.