Lincoln, Neb., Jul 6, 2018 / 16:11 pm
Nebraska's bishops on Friday issued a statement opposing the execution of Carey Dean Moore, whose execution date has been set for Aug. 14.
"Our society has a pervasive culture of violence and death which can only be transformed by a counter-culture of justice and mercy," read a July 6 statement issued by Archbishop George Lucas of Omaha, Bishop James Conley of Lincoln, and Bishop Joseph Hanefeldt of Grand Island.
"Each time we consider applying capital punishment, Nebraska has an opportunity to respond to an act of violence with an act of mercy that does not endanger public safety or compromise the demands of justice."
"There is no doubt the state has the responsibility to administer just punishment," the bishops wrote. "However, given our modern prison system, the execution of Carey Dean Moore is not necessary to fulfill justice and, for that reason, would undermine respect for human life."