In the Catholic Church in the United States, pastoral statements are offered by individual bishops in particular dioceses, state Catholic conferences of bishops, regional synods of bishops, or the national conference (USCCB) when seeking to apply universal church teaching to particular circumstances or issues. In the case of the death penalty, U.S. bishops have often been strong anti-death penalty advocates for persons sentenced to be executed. The list below includes more recent pastoral and state conference statements relating to Catholic teaching on the death penalty and its application to particular laws and state-sponsored executions.
On Monday, May 20, 2019, as a sign of solidarity and commitment to ending the death penalty and upholding the sanctity of all human life, the Florida Catholic Conference of Bishops sent a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis urging him to halt the execution of Robert Long, scheduled for Thursday, May 23, 2019.
Read an excerpt of the letter below:
"With the clear and cogent clarification of the successor of St. Peter, there now exists no loophole to morally justify capital punishment."
"For some years now, I have expressed my concern that the death penalty is both cruel and unnecessary and I have called for its abolition. So, I welcome the changes to The Catechism of the Catholic Church on the death penalty and I am grateful for Pope Francis’ leadership in working for an end to judicial executions worldwide."
Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel of the Diocese of Lafayette has released a statement in support of the August 2, 2018 Catholic Catechism revision that declares the death penalty "inadmissible in all cases."
Bishop Daniel Thomas of the Catholic Diocese of Toledo released a statement on Pope Francis' revision of the Catholic Church Catechism on the death penalty late yesterday.
Aug. 2, 2108
JEFFERSON CITY – Bishop Shawn McKnight has issued the following statement in response to the announcement from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith regarding Church teaching on capital punishment:
"Today, I commend Pope Francis for his clarification on Catholic Church teaching on the death penalty, declaring it inadmissible in all cases."
Cardinal Cupich's remarks were made the day of Pope Francis' historic revision to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which calls the death penalty "inadmissable" in all cases.
Three Bishops from Tennessee recently wrote the Governor to seek mercy for the 63 death row inmates of the state. Tennessee's last execution took place in 2009. This letter comes amidst a civil trial over Tennessee's lethal-injection protocol. It also comes just weeks before the scheduled execution of Billy Ray Irick on August 9th.
A letter from Catholic Bishops of Tennessee urging the Governor to halt executions through the end of his term
10 years ago on December 17, 2007, New Jersey was the first state in 40 years to abolish the death penalty. Read the statement below from New Jersey Bishops commemorating this important anniversary.
A Statement by the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey
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?
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.
