People

“The more strongly I understood the sacredness of unborn life, the more strongly I came to oppose the death penalty.”

“No government is ever innocent enough or wise enough or just enough to lay claim to so absolute a power as death.”

“By resorting to violent punishment, when it is not necessary to protect innocent lives, the death penalty corrupts civil society. We need to surround the victims of violent crimes with love and compassionate support. The execution of those accused of perpetrating heinous crimes does not help victims, nor does it contribute to building a culture…

“While speaking to Congress during his visit to the United States, Pope Francis reminded us all that ‘a just and necessary punishment must never exclude the dimension of hope and the goal of rehabilitation.’ I stand with our Holy Father in opposing the death penalty, which condemns hope and denies the possibility of change.”

“The idea of taking someone’s life as a form of punishment, or to achieve any other end, defies the most fundamental tenets of Christianity as well as those of a civilized society. All human life is sacred. The death penalty deprives us of the opportunity to practice mercy, witness the miracle of conversion, and love…

“The Church believes and I believe life begins at conception and ends with natural death. The death penalty allows human beings to step in where only God belongs. While individuals may deserve a life sentence, our faith and our Church want to protect life at all costs: in the womb, through our later years and…

“I oppose the death penalty because it arrogates to the state the right to violate that most fundamental of human rights, the right to life. No human being is only the worst thing she or he has ever done. If we deem a human person disposable, we as a society lower ourselves to the level…

“The Islamic vision of justice is premised on mercy and compassion, and the absolute sanctity of human life. Regardless of the moral achievements and failures of the past, the burden is always on Muslims to strive continuously towards a greater fulfillment and attainment of the Divine charge, and to achieve new levels of magnanimity and…

“I believe that all human life is sacred and there is no compelling evidence that the death penalty deters violent crime. Too many innocent people have been put to death by the State.”

“The National Council of Catholic Women passed a resolution in 2011 upholding Church teaching that every human life has dignity. A death sentence denies this sacredness of all life and promotes a “culture of violence.” NCCW is committed to educating members using the information promulgated by the U.S. Bishops and Catholic Mobilizing Network, working to…

“I am proud to join my brother bishops and Catholic sisters and brothers in signing this pledge to work for an end to the death penalty in our country. Our faith compels us to speak out on the sacredness of human life, even the lives of those who have committed serious crimes in our society.”