Skip to main content
  • Español
  • Events
  • Podcast
  • Contact
  • Get our emails
Catholic Mobilizing Network logo.
  • Donate
    • Give Once
    • Give Monthly
    • Other Ways to Give
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Our Guiding Principles
    • In The Media
    • Leadership
      • Board of Directors
      • Staff
      • Interns and Volunteers
    • Catholics Against Capital Punishment
    • Job Openings
    • Contact Us
  • Death Penalty
    • News
    • Resources
    • Catholic Social Teaching
    • The Church Speaks
    • Scheduled Executions
    • Monthly Vigils
    • Respect Life Month Toolkit
    • In Your State
    • Federal Death Penalty
    • FAQ
  • Restorative Justice
    • *NEW!* Engagement Guide
    • *NEW!* Podcast
    • News
    • Resources
    • Catholic Social Teaching
    • The Church Speaks
    • Restorative Justice Conference
    • Restorative Circle Events
    • Find a Circle Trainer
    • FAQ
  • Take Action
    • Mercy in Action Project
    • CMN Actions
    • State-Specific Actions
    • Faith & Action First Fridays
    • COVID-19 Action
  • Blog

Federal execution moratorium a “first step” toward Biden administration’s abolition promise

July 2, 2021 | Attorney General Merrick Garland ordered a moratorium on federal executions Thursday, marking the first death penalty-related action by the Biden administration, which had campaigned on a promise to “eliminate” capital punishment.

“The federal death penalty is a flawed and morally bankrupt system that violates the sanctity of human life,” commented CMN Executive Director Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy. “An execution moratorium, though a discernible first step, is not enough on its own. It does nothing to redress the horrors of executions nor the excesses and inequities in the federal death penalty system. More needs to be done.”
 

American flag behind barbed wire

 

Garland’s announcement arrives less than two years after former AG William Barr, Garland’s predecessor in the Trump administration, declared a resumption in federal executions that led to the killing of 12 men and one woman. Prior to the restart, the U.S. hadn’t seen a federal execution in 17 years, including during the eight-year “de facto moratorium” of the Obama administration.

“History has shown us how mere stopgap actions of one administration can leave the door wide open to future government killing sprees,” said Vaillancourt Murphy. “President Biden promised a permanent road closure on the federal death penalty; a moratorium is more like a temporary stop sign on the road to federal executions.”

Recognizing the need for further action, thousands of Catholics are calling on President Biden to use his executive authority to commute the sentences of those on the federal death row through a Catholic Mobilizing Network petition. Nearly 10,000 signatures have been collected to date, including those by: Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ; Most Rev. Joseph Fiorenza, Archbishop Emeritus of Galveston-Houston; Most Rev. Ramon Bejarano, Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego; Most Rev. William Medley, Bishop of Owensboro; Most Rev. Richard Pates, Apostolic Administrator of Crookston; and Most Rev. Oscar Solis, Bishop of Salt Lake City.

TAKE ACTION: Sign CMN's petition urging President Biden to commute the federal death row.

“In many ways, an execution moratorium only prolongs the traumatic limbo that victims’ families, prisoners’ families, and death row prisoners endure in our broken capital punishment system,” said Vaillancourt Murphy. “President Biden should commute the sentences of those on the federal death row to break these cycles of trauma and open up the possibility for healing.”

BREAKING: President Biden's Department of Justice has declared a moratorium on federal executions.

This is an encouraging step, but remember: the Trump administration was able to take the lives of 13 people after a 17-year hiatus from federal executions.https://t.co/dHud9Cabhw

— Catholic Mobilizing Network (@CMNEndtheDP) July 2, 2021

Issue: 
Death Penalty
State: 
Federal Death Penalty

Recommended For You

Sustaining the Catholic Push for Federal Death Penalty Abolition

The U.S. is at a crossroads when it comes to the federal death penalty. But Catholics can make national decision makers aware that abolition is still a priority for people of faith.
Pope Francis greeting people

In Upcoming Visit, Will President Biden and Pope Francis Discuss the Death Penalty?

Among other pressing issues, many Catholics hope the pontiff and Catholic president will discuss the U.S. death penalty — specifically, the importance of President Biden commuting the sentences of all those on the federal death row. 
White House and lawn

Between Biden and Congress, what will it take to end the federal death penalty?

President Joe Biden is the first sitting U.S. president to publicly oppose capital punishment — a sharp contrast against his predecessor, President Trump, whose administration carried out on an unprecedented execution spree over his last six months in office.
San Quentin State Prison

Victory! CA Gov. Gavin Newsom Declares Death Penalty Moratorium

On Wednesday, March 13, 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom made a historic step forward in the death penalty abolition movement by declaring a moratorium on all California executions.

Related Resources

Cover of CMNs Stations of the Cross, featuring a crucifix

CMN's Stations of the Cross

It's time for Biden to commute all federal death row sentences. Here's why.

Advocate

The Mercy In Action Project

CMN’s Mercy in Action Project gives YOU the tools you need to promote clemency for those on death row. Sign up today to start receiving monthly execution alerts.

Learn more
Sarah Noltner

National Catholic Pledge to End the Death Penalty

More than 25,000 Catholics and people of faith have already pledged to educate, advocate, and pray for an end to the death penalty. Will you answer the call?

Learn more
CMN LogomarkCMN Logotype
415 Michigan Ave. NE, Suite 210
Washington, DC 20017
(202) 541-5290 | Email us
  • En Español
  • Join
  • Sitemap
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Donate
Read our newsletter
Copyright © Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN) | Web design