Lincoln, Neb., Oct 5, 2016 / 14:35 pm
Catholic leaders in Nebraska spoke out in favor of a vote to maintain a ban on the death penalty, calling it unnecessary and "unjustified."
"The Catholic Church and Nebraska bishops oppose the death penalty because it is not necessary to protect society," Tom Venzor, executive director of the Nebraska Catholic Conference, said at a Sept. 29 press conference.
"We urge Catholics and all people of good will to vote to retain the repeal of the death penalty on Referendum 426."
This November, voters can decide whether to approve or reject the Nebraska Death Penalty Repeal Veto Referendum, Referendum 426. The referendum would repeal the Nebraska legislature's May 2015 vote to ban the death penalty. Gov. Pete Ricketts vetoed the bill, but the legislature overrode it.