Capital punishment

Catholic death penalty opponents praised Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom for his decision to use his “constitutional clemency authority” to commute all California death sentences to life imprisonment without the possibility …

“This is not easy work, in part because so many people feel that prisoners facing death have entirely forfeited their human dignity and right to life.”

President Donald Trump on Oct. 15 called off Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s plans to livestream the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan.

“I oblige any Catholics assigned to the firing squad to request to be excused from this action contrary to the teaching of the Church,” Archbishop Broglio said.

In a post published Oct. 10, on the World Day Against the Death Penalty, the pope said the common good of humanity can be safeguarded without the death penalty.

Advocates and supporters both make compelling arguments on capital punishment, but neither, in my judgment, make convincing ones. But this is not a concession to either side.

“It is impossible today to make the case that the death penalty is a deterrent,” DeWine said. “I no longer believe the death penalty is a deterrent to murder.”

(OSV News) — As Ohio prepares for its upcoming gubernatorial election, faith leaders pushed lawmakers on May 4 to end the practice of capital punishment.  Ohio’s May 5 primary election will …

Pope Leo XIV sent a message of support to participants at a Catholic university event marking 15 years since the abolition of the death penalty in Illinois.

Florida’s Catholic bishops wrote to Gov. Ron DeSantis, urging the state’s Catholic governor to stay the scheduled Oct. 14 execution of Samuel “Sammy” Smithers.