Death Penalty
The Latest
Many states still execute inmates with severe mental illnesses
More than 10 years ago, the Supreme Court ruled in two separate cases that the death penalty is unconstitutional when... Read more
Supreme Court appears skeptical of Texas' death penalty standards
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday in a death penalty case that could determine the fate of a man... Read more
Three states keep death penalty in high-stakes election
The death penalty was up for a vote in California, Nebraska and Oklahoma on Tuesday, but stands against capital punishment... Read more
Bishop Conley rejects pro-death penalty ads distorting his words
Bishop James Conley of Lincoln has called on the group “Nebraskans for the Death Penalty” to retract social media advertisements... Read more
Nebraska better off without death penalty, Catholics say
Catholic leaders in Nebraska spoke out in favor of a vote to maintain a ban on the death penalty, calling... Read more
Here's what the VP candidates said about abortion last night
The topic of abortion made an appearance at the vice presidential debate last night, as both candidates discussed the role... Read more
Archbishop Gomez: It's time to end the death penalty
Californians should vote for Proposition 62, a ballot measure to end the death penalty, the Archbishop of Los Angeles has... Read more
Don't bring back the death penalty, New Mexico bishops plead
The Catholic bishops of New Mexico are speaking up against a proposal to reintroduce capital punishment in the state, saying... Read more
Will Texas execute two innocent men?
In Texas, two scheduled executions could kill innocent men, Catholic and other Christian leaders have warned. Read more
California bishops urge voters to reject the death penalty this fall
On Thursday, the bishops of California announced their support of a state ballot measure that would end the use of... Read more
Death penalty under fire as Supreme Court takes disabled man case
The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to review the death sentence of a man whom lawyers claim is intellectually disabled,... Read more
Against death penalty, Pfizer bans drug sales for lethal injections
The drug company Pfizer has announced it will no longer sell drugs for use in lethal injections because it objects... Read more
Pope Francis against the death penalty: criminals too have the right to life
Christians must work to abolish the death penalty and improve prison conditions, Pope Francis said on Sunday. Read more
Ahead of Florida execution, bishops renew calls against death penalty
Stressing that capital punishment is not necessary in the modern-day U.S., Florida’s Catholic bishops have asked the state governor to... Read more
Major evangelical group recognizes growing opposition to death penalty
The National Association of Evangelicals has issued an expanded statement on the death penalty that for the first time recognizes... Read more
Pope appeals for life of Georgia death row inmate, but parole board rejects
The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles has declined to commute the death sentence of a local woman scheduled to... Read more
How Junipero Serra fought the death penalty for a California native
Blessed Junipero Serra’s love for the natives of California extended even to those who killed one of his friends and... Read more
Mercy, Justice, and the Gospel of Life: US bishops on ending the death penalty
Two leading U.S. bishops have renewed the call to choose life over the death penalty because, they say, heinous criminals... Read more
Supreme Court upholds use of controversial lethal injection drug
The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the continued use of a drug that has been accused of causing... Read more
Boston bomber gets the death penalty – how should Catholics respond?
The death sentence for convicted Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was a legitimate use of state authority, even if Catholics... Read more
