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Take Action to Stop Federal Executions
The federal government is attempting to restart the practice of capital punishment for the first time in 16 years.
On July 25th, 2019, the U.S. Department of Justice announced it would resume executions at the federal level for the first time since 2003 and set five execution dates for December and January. The decision to reinstate the federal death penalty is wrong-headed and violates Catholic teaching. (Catholic Catechism 2267)
▶ On April 7, 2020, a divided panel of judges from the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on a preliminary injunction blocking federal executions which was put in place in December 2019. As a result, attorneys for federal death row inmates are continuing litigation to challenge the federal government's efforts to restart executions for the first time in over 16 years.
We cannot build a culture of life with a federal government that puts people to death. Raise your voice in opposition to the return of federal executions and urge our government leaders to uphold a consistent ethic of life. Find out how you can take action to stop federal executions below:
Write a Letter to the Editor
Letters to the Editor (LTEs) are critical tools for advocacy, especially when it comes to ending the death penalty. Since the announcement to restart federal executions, the need for high-impact LTEs has become even more urgent. Get started crafting your own letter to the editor with the help of CMN's tools and resources:
Speak Out on Social Media
Amplify the call to #StopFederalExecutions and say #NoFedExecution on social media. Download and share these attention-grabbing graphics, or scroll down to use CMN's sample tweets to make your voice heard.
Sample Tweets
Pro-life values are meaningless if they're inconsistent. The federal government needs to act now to #StopFederalExecutions and start honoring the God-given dignity of all life. Learn more: catholicsmobilizing.org/federal-executions #ProLife #Catholic #HopeOverDeath #NoFedExecution
Click to TweetWe cannot build a culture of life in a nation that still puts people to death. That's why the federal government needs to act NOW to #StopFederalExecutions. Learn more: catholicsmobilizing.org/federal-executions #ProLife #Catholic #HopeOverDeath #NoFedExecution
Click to TweetTimes have changed. In the 16 years since the federal government's last execution, the U.S. public has turned away from the #deathpenalty. Only 49% of Americans believe the punishment is applied fairly — a record low. The government needs to respect the will of the people and #StopFederalExecutions NOW. catholicsmobilizing.org/federal-executions #HopeOverDeath #NoFedExecution
Click to Tweet
Logo for Download
Hear From Church Leaders
Those in Catholic leadership are speaking out against the return of the federal death penalty. Find out what they are saying:
Hold a Prayer Vigil
Intended for use in the days and hours surrounding an execution, CMN's Prayer Vigil for an Execution can be used in groups of various sizes to allow participants to reflect on the themes of forgiveness and mercy in the face of the death penalty.
“I draw the attention of society's leaders to the need to make every effort to eliminate the death penalty and to reform the penal system in a way that ensures respect for the prisoners' human dignity.” -Pope Benedict XVI
Advocate
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?