Death Penalty
The Latest
Supreme Court halts execution of inmate requesting vocal prayer at his death
The Supreme Court late Wednesday evening halted the execution of a Texas death row inmate who had requested his pastor... Read more
In last-minute plea to Supreme Court, lawyers beg for prayer in execution chamber
Religious freedom advocates are requesting that a Texas death row inmate have access to vocal prayer and the touch of... Read more
Texas death row inmate sues to have pastor’s touch in execution chamber
A man scheduled to be executed in early September is suing the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to have his... Read more
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Survey: A majority of US Catholics support the death penalty
One recent survey shows a majority of U.S. Catholics supporting use of the death penalty for murder convicts. The support... Read more
US Justice Department halts federal executions
US Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a moratorium on federal executions while the Department of Justice conducts a review of... Read more
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Biden administration seeks death penalty for Boston Marathon bomber
The Justice Department recently asked the Supreme Court to reinstate a death sentence for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev for his role in... Read more
Arizona bishops 'very concerned' about possible executions - including by gas chamber
Arizona bishops are “very concerned” that the state could resume executions this fall – including the possibility of executions by... Read more
Catholics make last-minute appeal of execution in Texas
Catholics are asking the governor of Texas to halt an execution scheduled for Wednesday evening. Read more
Charleston diocese 'extremely disappointed' with law recommencing executions
South Carolina on Monday became the fourth state to officially sanction the use of the firing squad as a method... Read more
As Biden presidency passes 100 days, Catholics push him to end federal death penalty
Catholics are calling on President Joe Biden to honor his campaign promises to raise the refugee ceiling and halt use... Read more
How Archbishop Naumann's family tragedy shaped his beliefs on the sanctity of life
For the chair of the U.S. bishops’ pro-life committee, his family’s history of tragedy shaped his beliefs on human dignity... Read more
Virginia governor signs death penalty repeal
Gov. Ralph Northam (D-Va.) signed a bill Wednesday ending the death penalty in Virginia, making the commonwealth the 23rd state... Read more
Boston Archdiocese calls for life without parole for Boston bomber, after Supreme Court agrees to consider death penalty
As the Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider the death penalty for Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the Archdiocese... Read more
Virginia legislature votes to abolish the death penalty
Virginia is expected to become the first southern state to abolish the death penalty, after its general assembly voted on... Read more
Supreme Court rules that Alabama can’t deny death row inmate a chaplain
The Supreme Court on Thursday refused an appeal by the state of Alabama to execute a man without a chaplain... Read more
Supreme Court weighing Alabama ban on clergy at executions
The U.S. Supreme Court is considering the case of an Alabama death row inmate who has asked to have a... Read more
Virginia bishops approve state’s move to abolish the death penalty
Virginia's two Catholic bishops welcomed the state legislature’s votes to abolish the death penalty this week. Read more
Members of Congress push for end to the federal death penalty
Dozens of members of Congress are urging the Attorney General-designate to stop use of the federal death penalty. Read more
Supreme Court rules favorably toward inmate requesting priest at execution
The Supreme Court on Monday ruled favorably toward a Catholic death row inmate requesting the presence of a priest at... Read more
US executes Lisa Montgomery despite concerns over mental illness
Lisa Montgomery, the only woman on federal death row, was executed early Wednesday morning, despite her attorneys’ arguments that her... Read more
