The death penalty landscape across the U.S. is changing every day and CMN is committed to keeping this network up to date on what you need to know. Four times per year, we’ll provide state and federal death penalty analysis, advocacy spotlights, quick facts, upcoming calendar items, and more. Scroll below to see every edition…
Deacon’s Guide to Death Penalty Ministry Support for bringing CMN’s mission to your parish and ministry. About this Guide As ordained ministers of the Church, deacons are a sacramental sign to the Church and to the world of Christ, who came “to serve and not be served.” (USCCB). This guide is designed specifically for deacons,…
![[Webinar] The State of the Death Penalty in 2026: Trends, Realities, Advocacy](https://catholicsmobilizing.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-State-of-the-DP-Webinar-cover-768x432.png)
2025 presented numerous challenges to the movement to abolish the death penalty in the United States: increased rates of executions, new execution methods, and the introduction of legislation in some states that seeks to expand the practice. At the same time, new death sentences remained at historic lows and public support for the death penalty…
![[Recording] Fireside Chat: Two Families Restorative Justice Journey](https://catholicsmobilizing.org/wp-content/uploads/Slides_Fireside-Chat-December-8-2025-768x432.png)
The journey for these two sets of parents – Kate, Deacon Andy, Julie and Michael – began in March 2010 after Ann Grosmaire was tragically shot and killed by her boyfriend Conor McBride. Unsatisfied by the status quo of legal proceedings, the Grosmaire and McBride parents successfully advocated for restorative justice to shape the plea…
![[Webinar] Drawing Mercy: A Conversation with Sr. Helen Prejean](https://catholicsmobilizing.org/wp-content/uploads/Jubilee-Sr-Helen-768x576.png)
Watch the recording of Sr. Helen Prejean and Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN)’s powerful conversation on Dead Man Walking — now released as a graphic edition — and the urgent fight for mercy and justice in today’s world. Hear Sr. Helen’s insights on the death penalty, the power of storytelling, and why these issues matter now…
Through a series of thoughtful reflection questions, this discussion guide serves as an accompaniment to Dead Man Walking: Graphic Edition, offering readers a way to explore the Catholic call to uphold the sanctity of life and to examine the inadequacies of the U.S. criminal legal system. Since its landmark 1993 release, Sr. Helen Prejean’s Dead…
The Holy See has designated a number of Jubilee Days throughout 2025 to recognize and celebrate different groups of people and various ministries in the Church. The Jubilee of Prisoners will be held Dec. 14, 2025. For this Jubilee recognizing those in prison, we call to mind the nearly two million people in the United…
Catholic Mobilizing Network and the Georgetown Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life co-sponsored this panel as part of the 2025 National Catholic Conference on Restorative Justice. Hosted on September 26, 2025 in-person for conference attendees in Atlanta, Georgia, this impressive panel was livestreamed to engage a national audience. Watch the recording below. Here…
An overview of the current status of the U.S. system of capital punishment and several of the grave injustices of this practice which disregards the sanctity of life. Includes:
The Catholic Church clearly teaches that the death penalty has no place in any society. Capital punishment is a direct attack to the sanctity of life, and our efforts to oppose this dehumanizing system fall squarely within the continuum of life issues. In 2018, the Catechism of the Catholic Church was clarified to reflect this…
Respect Life Toolkit The death penalty is a life issue. Explore resources and opportunities below to engage in death penalty education, advocacy, and prayer. The Catholic Call to Respect Life The belief that every life is sacred is a core tenet of our faith. As Catholics, we are called to defend God-given dignity of all…
![[Webinar] What’s Really Happening with the Death Penalty in 2025?](https://catholicsmobilizing.org/wp-content/uploads/Webinar-Whats-Really-Happening-with-the-Death-Penalty-in-2025_-768x432.png)
About the Webinar This year executions are increasing across the U.S., and states are reengaging with the death penalty in new ways. This webinar takes a closer look at recent developments and asks: what’s really happening — and why now? Through a moderated discussion, our three panelists: Robert Dunham, the founder and director of the…