Denver, Colo., Apr 2, 2019 / 15:56 pm
A death penalty repeal effort has failed in the Colorado legislature after failing to win enough votes in the Democratic-controlled Senate.
The Colorado Catholic Conference is "deeply disappointed" by the postponement of the bill, conference executive director Jennifer Kraska told CNA April 2.
"For the sake of our own humanity, we need to turn away from a mistaken idea of justice based – in practice – on further and unneeded violence," Kraska said. "We pray that someday soon our legislators will have the wisdom and courage to end the death penalty in Colorado."
"Pope Francis has reminded us that our nation's leaders have a responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development," she added. "The death penalty is a clear affront to the dignity and sanctity of human life that excludes the possibility of rehabilitation. There are much less costly alternatives available to the State of Colorado that would both punish offenders and protect society."