CMN has created a wide-ranging collection of resources available for download and use. Below you will find our full catalogue of resources for your parish, school, community, or personal use. CMN has resources for all age groups, including youth, teen and even the whole family.

Simply use the filters below to sort by: Age (Adult, Family, Teen, etc.), Category (Educate, Advocate, Pray), Issue (Death Penalty, Restorative Justice), Type (Fact Sheet, Workshop, Video, etc.), and/or State then click the “Filter” button to find exactly the tool you are looking for.

Support this legislation which would make the ban on judicial override in capital sentencing retroactive.

Send a letter to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson urging him to stop the execution of Brian Dorsey.

Send a letter to Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt urging him to stop the execution of Michael Smith.

Send a letter to the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles urging them to recommend clemency for Willie Pye.

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.

Dignity and the death penalty cover photo

Created in partnership between CMN and Renew International, this small group resource examines Catholic teaching on the death penalty and is based on the insights of Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ. 

Harm, Healing, and Human Dignity is a faith formation resource to help parishes, small groups, and individual believers reflect on the Catholic call to restorative justice.

A selection of CMN's favorite books covering the topics of capital punishment and restorative justice.

Hear firsthand from murder victims' family members who are speaking out against the death penalty.

This new resource is designed for bishops, priests, and deacons who want to identify opportunities to connect the Church's teaching against the death penalty to scripture. 

In this resource you will find:

In this homily, Fr. William Kelley, S.J. provides us with an inspirational call to understand how we, as Catholics, can uphold the dignity of all human life, regardless of circumstance. This comes in light of the recent, and unexpected July 25, 2019 announcement from the Department of Justice that it will resume executions at the federal level for the first time in sixteen years.

A series of graphics highlighting the connection between the martyrdom of St. Maximilian Kolbe and the federal government's 2020 campaign to restart the practice of executions for the first time in 17 years.

Harness the power of social media and start advocating for the dignity of all life. Click on any of the graphics below to view them full size. Then, download and share using the hashtags #RespectLifeMonth and #HopeOverDeath.

 

Feature the church's anti-death penalty teachings in your parish bulletin for Respect Life Month.

Harness the power of social media and start advocating for the dignity of all life. Click on any of the graphics below to view them full size. Then, download and share using the hashtags #RespectLifeMonth and #HopeOverDeath.

 

Download CMN's collection of resources and activities about capital punishment geared toward use by Catholic educators.

Just Mercy Study Guide Preview

Based on the bestselling book of the same name by Bryan Stevenson, the film Just Mercy presents the stunning true story of Walter McMillian, a black man convicted and sentenced to death in Alabama in 1988 for a crime he did not commit. The film illustrates the structural racism endemic to our capital punishment system, and lays bare how this system devalues and cheapens all human life.

This resource contains different Bible passages and guiding questions to explore the Bible's teaching on the death penalty and restorative justice. 

The death penalty is incompatible with Catholic Social Teaching. Here's why.

Federal Death Penalty One-Pager Preview

Learn about the opportunities and challenges surrounding federal death penalty abolition and find out ways you can take action.

Race and the Death Penalty handout preview

The modern death penalty system in the U.S. arose from our nation's ugly histories of slavery, lynching, and racial violence. To this day, capital punishment is unfairly applied based on race and remains the most punitive practice within a infamously racist criminal legal system.

Handout preview

A one-page factsheet highlighting Catholic teaching on the death penalty alongside data showcasing America's broken relationship with capital punishment and evidence of the growing momentum towards its abolition.

Download this letter from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and learn how all people of goodwill are called to address the evil of racism. As you read, contemplate how the most egregious example of our broken criminal justice system - the death penalty - reflects the racial discrimination and bias we are called as Catholics to dismantle.

handwritten letters

Have you ever considered writing to someone in prison, but you don't know where to start?

For many Catholics, after learning about the principles and practices of restorative justice, they wish to become trained in circle keeping. This resource offers some discerning questions and a non-definitive list of organizations experienced in conducting circle trainings with faith communities.

(Washington, DC) Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued the following statement in response to the federal executions scheduled this week:

Join Msgr Stuart Swetland, Fr. George Williams SJ, and Vicki Schieber for part two of a conversation about CMN, our work, and the current state of the movement to end the death penalty and promote restorative justice. 

Join Msgr Stuart Swetland, Fr. George Williams SJ, and Vicki Schieber for a conversation about CMN, our work, and the current state of the movement to end the death penalty and promote restorative justice. 

Working with journalist Andrea Acosta, CMN’s Sr. Ilaria Buonriposi produces a weekly podcast addressing the Church’s position on the death penalty or restorative justice in three versions (30 seconds, 1 minute, and 5 minutes).

Working with journalist Andrea Acosta, CMN’s Sr. Ilaria Buonriposi produces a weekly podcast addressing the Church’s position on the death penalty or restorative justice in three versions (30 seconds, 1 minute, and 5 minutes).

Sign up to receive weekly Scripture reflections throughout Lent, written by people who are working to transform the U.S. criminal legal system.

Este recurso de oración presenta nueve días de oración que elevan la dignidad de la vida y el llamado católico a poner fin a la pena de muerte.

Download this resource for nine days of prayer for the abolition of the death penalty.

hands in gesture of gratitude

In honor of Thanksgiving, we pray for a more expansive kind of gratitude.

CMN created brief one page information sheets that shares Catholic Teaching and state-specific information on the death penalty. These are designed to educate Catholics, serve as bulletin inserts, handouts, or for those attending diocesan or parish advocacy days.

CMN created brief one page information sheets that share Catholic Teaching and state-specific information on the death penalty. These are designed to educate Catholics, serve as bulletin inserts, handouts, or for those attending diocesan or parish advocacy days.

CMN created brief one page information sheets that shares Catholic Teaching and state-specific information on the death penalty. These are designed to educate Catholics, serve as bulletin inserts, handouts or for those attending diocesan or parish advocacy days.

CMN created brief one page information sheets that shares Catholic Teaching and state-specific information on the death penalty. These are designed to educate Catholics, serve as bulletin inserts, handouts, or for those attending diocesan or parish advocacy days.

Each year, the U.S. Catholic Church commemorates Respect Life Month, a time for Catholics to contemplate the sanctity of life and to oppose broken systems that violate human dignity. Beginning on Respect Life Sunday (Oct. 1, 2023), Catholics across the U.S. will recommit to upholding the pro-life teachings of our church.

Pope Francis has dedicated the month of September to praying for the global abolition of the death penalty. This toolkit offers ways to amplify this prayer and raise awareness about the death penalty in the U.S.

Visit this series of thoughtful reflection questions and supplementary resources to explore the Catholic call to uphold the sanctity of life within the U.S. criminal legal system.

Want to write a letter to the editor (LTE) but not sure where to start? Look no further! CMN's step-by-step guide will teach you everything you need to know about writing and submitting an LTE.

The federal death penalty system is broken, unfair, and unjust.

This reflection was originally shared at CMN's virtual First Friday Prayer Vigil on Oct. 1, 2021. Learn more about our monthly prayer vigils and RSVP to attend.

Today is the feast of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, patron saint of prisoners and the pro-life movement, and the victim of a state-sponsored execution. There's 

Experts help us kickoff the New Year by taking a look at what lies ahead for the status of the U.S. death penalty, and how we as Catholics are called to respond. Watch the recording now.

Taking a look at the continued opportunities for restorative justice in the Synod on Synodality.

This Respect Life Month, Catholic Mobilizing Network hosted a one-hour webinar featuring Sr. Helen Prejean, Ohio death row exoneree Kwame Ajamu, and Director of Prison Ministry for the Nashville Diocese Deacon James Booth.

Calling all Catholics and Evangelicals in Oklahoma! Learn from Oklahoma faith leaders about how you can stand up for the sanctity of life and end Oklahoma’s death penalty.

With this comprehensive resource, you don't need to be an expert to explore the death penalty issue in your school, parish, or community. Use our beautiful Prezi presentation and slide-by-slide Facilitator Guide to explore the Church’s teaching on the sanctity of ​all ​life and the social justice issues that surround the death penalty.

This intergenerational, interactive gathering is intended for parish or school communities who would like to start a shared conversation on the consistent ethic of life with parents, grandparents, children, siblings, etc.

Through scripture, prayer and conversation, this group reflection takes participants on a journey down the road of justice, mercy and forgiveness. While particularly appropriate for Lent, this examination of the story of Dismas is an appropriate resource for exploring the theme of true mercy during the jubilee year.

"Where Justice & Mercy Meet - A Retreat Experience for Teens" has been produced by Wayne Hipley and Anna Bradley to introduce high school-age youth to basic concepts and ideas of Catholic Church teaching as it relates to the death penalty, restorative justice, mercy and forgiveness.