Death Penalty
The Latest
![The Supreme Court of Texas said in a post on X late Thursday, Oct. 17, that it had “granted a Texas House of Representatives’ emergency motion” and “effectively [halted] the execution of Robert Roberson,” which was scheduled to take place that night.](https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/storage/image/robertroberson101824.jpg?w=220&h=165)
Texas man’s execution halted after last-minute subpoena to testify before state Legislature
The Supreme Court of Texas said in a post on X late Thursday that it had “effectively [halted] the execution... Read more
Supreme Court hears oral arguments in consequential Oklahoma death penalty case
This is the second time Richard Glossip’s contentious death sentence has come before the Supreme Court. Read more
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Missouri executes Muslim prisoner Marcellus Williams despite Catholic protest
Citing opposition to the death penalty and doubts about Williams’ guilt, a local and national outcry did not stop the... Read more
Missouri death row inmate claims racial bias, seeks to stop execution
A Missouri death row inmate sentenced to death for murder will have his case reviewed by the state Supreme Court... Read more
‘It gives me hope’: Catholic advocates work to abolish death penalty at federal level
When it comes to abolishing the death penalty in the U.S., a small but determined band of activists and policymakers... Read more
South Carolina could execute a death row inmate every 35 days as death penalty resumes
A South Carolina Supreme Court order decided that a five-week interval between executions was “reasonable” and “warranted.” Read more
South Carolina ACLU asks court to allow interview of death row inmate before execution
Although every state imposes restrictions on media access to inmates, South Carolina is “the only state that bans this category... Read more
Pope Francis pens preface to US death row chaplain’s book on death penalty
The pope personally penned the introduction to “A Christian on Death Row: My Commitment to Those Condemned” by Dale Recinella. Read more
Anti-death penalty activists celebrate 200th death row exoneree: ‘Undoubtedly optimistic’
Catholic Mobilizing Network said in a press release that California prisoner Larry Roberts had become “the 200th death row exoneration... Read more
California governor: Pope Francis told me he was ‘proud’ of state’s death penalty moratorium
No one has been executed in California since 2006, due in part to a moratorium beginning in 2019 that Newsom... Read more
New study suggests rampant ‘cafeteria Catholicism’
Few Catholics are in full agreement with Church teaching on abortion, euthanasia, and the death penalty. Read more
Oklahoma attorney general asks Supreme Court to halt execution of condemned convict
Since Richard Glossip’s initial conviction, two independent investigations have uncovered serious problems with his trial. Read more
California bishop praises district attorney for seeking to change death sentences
“Catholic social teaching urges us to recognize the dignity of every human being, especially the most vulnerable,” Bishop Oscar Cantú... Read more
Missouri governor denies clemency to death row inmate despite Catholic protests
The Catholic bishops of Missouri had strongly urged the faithful to contact Gov. Mike Parson and ask him to stay... Read more
Missouri bishops plead for death row inmate on eve of execution
The Catholic bishops of Missouri are urging the faithful to contact Gov. Mike Parson to stay the execution of convicted... Read more
Texas death row inmate to be executed in days as Catholics call for clemency
Texas has scheduled the execution of Ivan Cantu for Wednesday, Feb. 28. Cantu was convicted for a double murder that... Read more
Catholic anti-death penalty group seeks to ‘transform the criminal system’ in defense of life
Catholic Mobilizing Network seeks to “value life over death, to end the use of the death penalty,” and “to transform... Read more
Oklahoma archbishop: Supreme Court review of execution could further cause of abolition
The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday that it will review the case of an Oklahoma man on death row who... Read more
Catholic group expresses concern over Alabama’s untested new execution method
The Community of Sant’Egidio shared a petition Jan. 23 urging Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey to halt the execution of Kenneth... Read more
Biden administration seeks the death penalty for Buffalo supermarket shooter
Payton Gendron’s May 2022 shooting rampage resulted in 10 deaths. Authorities called it a racially motivated hate crime. Read more
