Renowned anti-death penalty advocates share their story for Respect Life Month
Vicki and Syl Schieber became anti-death penalty advocates after their daughter Shannon was murdered. Compelled by their Catholic faith, they opposed the death penalty for the man who killed their daughter. Through their ardent determination, the state of Pennsylvania backed away from its original intent to seek a death sentence. Shannon’s murderer pled guilty and accepted a lifetime prison sentence for his crime just 37 days after his capture.
Opposing a death sentence for their daughter’s murderer not only aligned with the Schiebers beliefs, it also saved them from years of reliving the most horrific day of their lives through a long legal battle of appeals that occurs with every capital case.
The Schiebers have been integral to Catholic Mobilizing Network since its founding in 2009. In their words:
“CMN did not exist when our family went through this ordeal, but gratefully, the organization came into being in 2009, and has worked every day since to support, empower, and equip Catholics like us to advocate for approaches to justice that are rooted in respecting the dignity of all life.
We can confidently say that working alongside CMN to oppose the death penalty is one of the most important ways we live out our faith.”
This Respect Life Month (celebrated each October by the U.S. Catholic Church), Vicki and Syl have shared this 5-minute video which was recently created to share a piece of their family’s story, and the commitment they’ve made to defend the sanctity of life.
The Schiebers say, “Perhaps our story will inspire you to engage in a conversation with a friend, family member, or neighbor about what our Catholic call to respect life looks like in practice.”
