Capital Punishment
The Latest
Muslim denied presence of imam at his execution in Alabama
A Muslim man convicted of murder has been executed in Alabama without his imam present, despite the man’s requests to... Read more
Washington state bishops support repeal of death penalty
The Catholic bishops of Washington state are expressing support for a senate bill that would repeal the death penalty. Read more
Pope Francis: Death penalty a ‘legalistic’ value, not a Christian one
The death penalty is always a rejection of the Gospel and of human dignity, and therefore must be rejected by... Read more
Wash. Supreme Court strikes down death penalty as arbitrary, racially biased
The ruling was issued Oct. 11 and makes the state one of twenty to halt the use of death penalty.... Read more
Catholic judge defends death penalty sentence on theological grounds
A Catholic judge in Ohio who recently sentenced a man to death defended his decision on both legal and theological... Read more
With inmate's fate unclear, Florida bishops pray to end death penalty
The Catholic bishops of Florida have asked for continued prayers for an end to the death penalty following the stay... Read more
US bishops welcome change to Catechism on death penalty
Bishops across the US have welcomed the modification made to the Catechism of the Catholic Church saying the Church teaches... Read more
Ohio bishops commend governor's reprieve, commutation of executions
The Ohio Catholic Conference on Friday welcomed the state governor's decision to grant reprieve and commutation to two men who... Read more
Scheduled execution in Nebraska 'would undermine respect for human life'
Nebraska's bishops on Friday issued a statement opposing the execution of Carey Dean Moore, whose execution date has been set... Read more
Bishops object as Illinois governor pushes to reinstate death penalty
The Catholic Conference of Illinois decried the governor’s call to re-establish the death penalty, which has not been used in... Read more
Study finds decline in global death penalty numbers
After a record-high year of death sentences implemented around the world in 2016, a new report released by Amnesty International... Read more
Death penalty for drug dealers? Catholic group responds to federal memo
The Trump administration’s call for increased use of the death penalty in drug-related crimes will not address the root causes... Read more
Botched execution shows death penalty must end, Catholic group says
As a death row inmate in Alabama sues the state over a botched execution last month, a Catholic advocacy group... Read more
Supreme Court delays execution of inmate over dementia claims
The U.S. Supreme Court has delayed the execution of an Alabama man who killed a police officer in 1985, on... Read more
Death penalty repeal a growing trend among Republican lawmakers
Republican lawmakers play an increasing role in opposition to the death penalty. Both political principles and, for some, their Catholic... Read more
Pope's death penalty views may mean new approach to criminal justice
On Wednesday, Pope Francis told a gathering in Rome that the Catechism of the Catholic Church should significantly revise its... Read more
Mo. governor right to halt execution, Catholic conference says
A governor’s decision to stay the imminent execution of a death row inmate following claims of new evidence has drawn... Read more
As Florida execution approaches, bishops urge governor to take pro-life path
An imminent execution scheduled for this week is the wrong path, said Florida’s Catholic bishops, urging the governor of the... Read more
Is Virginia about to execute a man with a serious mental illness?
William Morva is scheduled to be executed in Virginia on July 6. Read more
US Supreme Court death penalty decision could be victory for due process
The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that a defendant has a right to a mental health evaluation independent of the... Read more
