Little Rock, Ark., Apr 28, 2017 / 10:33 am
As Arkansas executed its fourth inmate in eight days, Catholics offered prayers for the prisoners, the victims, and their families, saying the executions have diminished the whole society.
"Catholic Mobilizing Network is deeply saddened by the events in Arkansas last night," Karen Clifton, executive director of Catholic Mobilizing Network, said on Friday. "Our prayers are with all the victims' families and all those involved in carrying out these four executions." Catholic Mobilizing Network fights for an end to the death penalty.
Arkansas carried out its fourth execution in eight days late on Thursday night. The state had originally planned to conduct eight executions in 11 days, which would have been the largest number of executions in so short a span of time since the death penalty was re-instated there in 1976.
Bishop Anthony Taylor of Little Rock wrote the state's Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) on March 1, asking him to commute the sentences of the eight men to life in prison without parole.