Capital Punishment
The Latest
Study finds decline in global death penalty numbers
After a record-high year of death sentences implemented around the world in 2016, a new report released by Amnesty International... Read more
Death penalty for drug dealers? Catholic group responds to federal memo
The Trump administration’s call for increased use of the death penalty in drug-related crimes will not address the root causes... Read more
Botched execution shows death penalty must end, Catholic group says
As a death row inmate in Alabama sues the state over a botched execution last month, a Catholic advocacy group... Read more
Supreme Court delays execution of inmate over dementia claims
The U.S. Supreme Court has delayed the execution of an Alabama man who killed a police officer in 1985, on... Read more
Death penalty repeal a growing trend among Republican lawmakers
Republican lawmakers play an increasing role in opposition to the death penalty. Both political principles and, for some, their Catholic... Read more
Pope's death penalty views may mean new approach to criminal justice
On Wednesday, Pope Francis told a gathering in Rome that the Catechism of the Catholic Church should significantly revise its... Read more
Mo. governor right to halt execution, Catholic conference says
A governor’s decision to stay the imminent execution of a death row inmate following claims of new evidence has drawn... Read more
As Florida execution approaches, bishops urge governor to take pro-life path
An imminent execution scheduled for this week is the wrong path, said Florida’s Catholic bishops, urging the governor of the... Read more
Is Virginia about to execute a man with a serious mental illness?
William Morva is scheduled to be executed in Virginia on July 6. Read more
US Supreme Court death penalty decision could be victory for due process
The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that a defendant has a right to a mental health evaluation independent of the... Read more
Calif. Supreme Court weighs ballot measure to hasten death penalty
A ballot measure intended to speed up the application of the death penalty is now being challenged before the California... Read more
New pledge aims to amplify Catholic opposition to death penalty
A Catholic pledge against the death penalty cites Pope Francis’ stand as a motive to increase Catholic action against capital... Read more
Trump nominee wrote on Catholic judges and the death penalty
Among the newly announced federal judges selected by President Donald Trump is a Catholic law professor who once co-wrote a... Read more
Filipino bishops praise cross-country march against death penalty
The Catholic bishops of the Philippines have praised a cross-country march showing opposition to the restoration of the death penalty. Read more
Arkansas executions damage 'our whole society,' Catholic group says
As Arkansas executed its fourth inmate in eight days, Catholics offered prayers for the prisoners, the victims, and their families,... Read more
Catholics speak out against execution of two more Arkansas inmates
As Arkansas prepares to conduct the first double execution in the U.S. since 2000, Catholics prayed for all involved in... Read more
Virginia bishops welcome commutation of prisoner's death sentence
The Catholic bishops of Virginia welcomed a decision by the governor to commute a prisoner’s death sentence on the grounds... Read more
Two Arkansas executions called off, but five remain planned
Catholics in Arkansas and around the country continue to pray for death row inmates in the state, after courts on... Read more
Catholics heartened by stay on flurry of planned executions in Arkansas
As judges halted the planned executions of eight inmates in 10 days in Arkansas, Catholics around the country pointed to... Read more
As wave of executions draws near, Catholics in Arkansas pray for an alternative
Even though legal options have run out, Catholics in Arkansas are still pushing back against a wave of eight executions... Read more
