Austin, Texas, Oct 10, 2016 / 15:44 pm
The abolition of the death penalty is "undeniably a pro-life issue" that would better serve society and lead criminals to penitence, the Texas bishops have said.
"Our call to abolish the death penalty is not a call to deny justice. On the contrary, it is a call to the whole community to recognize that the death penalty does not fulfill justice, nor does it console the inconsolable," the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops said Oct. 10. "Capital punishment vitiates our hearts' capacity for mercy and love."
In their statement, the bishops said the death penalty is disproportionately used on the poor, racial minorities, the vulnerable, people with limited mental capacity, and those who cannot afford an adequate legal defense.
"These realities contribute to a callous disregard for the dignity of human life. The death penalty negatively influences our children's moral formation and our culture as it fails to allow for mercy and redemption."
The bishops also had a warning: "innocent people are killed by the government on our behalf." At least 23 known innocent people have been executed since 2000.