Sr. Addie Lorraine Walker, SSND, wrote and shared the following prayer in honor of the Virtual Prayer Vigil held for Christopher Vialva on Thursday, Sept. 28th, 2020. Mr. Vialva was executed hours later by the federal government. As you say this prayer, whether in solitude or with others, we invite you to remember all persons impacted…
EWTN’s Kate Scanlon speaks with Syl and Vicki Schieber, who suffered the violent murder of their daughter, Shannon, yet hold true to the teachings of the church and reject the death penalty. She also interviews CMN Executive Director Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy and Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Domestic…
![[One-Pager] Racism and the Death Penalty: Compounding Systems of Dehumanization](https://catholicsmobilizing.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Race_and_the_Death_Penalty_Graphic-768x575.png)
Catholic Mobilizing Network’s advocacy toward ending the death penalty reveals the institutionalized racism and discrimination rampant in the U.S. criminal legal system, which has resulted in the overincarceration of Black and Brown people — particularly on death row. Misuse and abuse of power perpetuate racial injustice and deny human beings of their God-given dignity. As…
As Catholics, we understand that there is a Gospel call toward forgiveness — yet forgiveness is never an obligation, but a creative act of possibility and grace. This is especially important on a restorative justice journey. Together, we can work to dispel common myths about forgiveness and open up new possibilities for reconciliation and healing. Myth #1: Forgiveness…
Catholic educators are often in search of ways to incorporate the issue of capital punishment into high school and college/university curricula. This collection of resources and activities serve as a general introduction to the issue of the death penalty as it aligns with Catholic Social Tradition. FOR WHOM: Intended for educator use in Catholic grade…
![[One-Pager] The Federal Death Penalty: What All Catholics Need to Know](https://catholicsmobilizing.org/wp-content/uploads/Fed-DP-Onepager-coming-soon-768x994.png)
The Federal Death Penalty: What All Catholics Need to Know President Biden is the first president to oppose capital punishment publicly. He campaigned on an anti-death penalty platform, and on Jul. 1, 2021, Biden’s Department of Justice ordered an official moratorium on federal executions. Though an encouraging step, it does not prevent future administrations from…
![[Video] Feast of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Patron Saint of Prisoners and the Pro-life Movement](https://catholicsmobilizing.org/wp-content/uploads/kolbe.jpg)
Saint Maximilian Kolbe (1894–1941) was a Catholic priest and a conventual Franciscan friar. He was assassinated in the Nazi death camp of Auschwitz on August 14, 1941, dying from a lethal injection of carbolic acid in a starvation cell after he volunteered to take the place of a man who was in line to be…
![[Podcast] Encounters With Dignity: A Podcast on Restorative Justice](https://catholicsmobilizing.org/wp-content/uploads/c0qFqZOzIzsNLmFH3aXCUcVt-768x768.png)
Encounters With Dignity, a Podcast on Restorative Justice from Catholic Mobilizing Network, brings you stories, learnings, and actionable wisdom from people putting restorative justice into practice in their everyday lives. Each episode explores the synergies between Gospel values, Catholic Social Teaching, and restorative justice, preparing listeners to bring this reconciling approach to their communities, churches,…
![[Recording] Good Friday Prayer Vigil for an End to the Death Penalty](https://catholicsmobilizing.org/wp-content/uploads/Mary-at-the-cross-of-Jesus-768x503.jpeg)
On the First Friday of every month, CMN holds a Virtual Prayer Vigil to lament upcoming executions and bear witness to the sanctity of all human life. These monthly gatherings feature the diverse voices of Catholic bishops, Church leaders, death penalty abolitionists, and people impacted by crime, violence, or incarceration. Each vigil includes time for…
In the aftermath of a crime, a victim-survivor’s faith community is often one of the first places they turn to for support. Yet many of our parishes and ministries struggle with how to respond to victims’ complex needs for healing. As people of faith, we can be instrumental in supporting victim-survivors through restorative processes designed…
The 14 Stations of the Cross invite us to walk with Jesus through his Passion. Often prayed during the season of Lent, each station depicts a moment on Christ’s journey to Calvary. With CMN’s Stations of the Cross, you are invited to pray this traditional practice while reflecting on the parallels between our modern criminal…
What Are Restorative Circles? Circles (sometimes called circle process or peacemaking circles) are a core restorative practice that create opportunities for participants to share openly and listen intentionally with one another. Rooted in indigenous tradition, circles can be used in instances of conflict and harm, as well as for storytelling, shared reflection, and community building. Increasingly,…
Over the 50 days of Easter, become one of 50 new members of CMN’s Steward Circle of monthly donors.