Before Florida held two executions July 28, its Catholic bishops issued a pastoral letter urging Catholics to reflect on the Church’s death penalty opposition.
Death Penalty
-
-
Analysis: Supreme Court strikes down some Trump priorities, but expands presidential power
by Kate Scanlonby Kate ScanlonWASHINGTON (OSV News) — The U.S. Supreme Court ended its 2025-2026 term with major rulings striking down President Donald Trump’s executive order limiting birthright citizenship, and upholding West Virginia and Idaho …
-
Washington Roundup: Policymakers’ reaction to pope’s AI encyclical, new trial for death-row inmate
by Kate Scanlonby Kate ScanlonPope Leo: The development of AI technology must be accompanied by safeguards to protect human dignity, as it is “threatened by new forms of dehumanization.”
-
Global executions surge to highest recorded figure in 44 years, Amnesty International report says
by Kate Scanlonby Kate ScanlonWASHINGTON (OSV News) — The number of executions around the globe in 2025 surged to the highest recorded figure in 44 years, a new Amnesty International report said. The May 17 …
-
Catholic, other faith leaders push Ohio lawmakers to end the death penalty
by Kate Scanlonby Kate Scanlon(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.
-
Catholic death penalty opponents laud commuted death sentence for inmate who didn’t pull trigger
by Kate Scanlonby Kate Scanlon(OSV News) — Gov. Kay Ivey, R-Ala., announced March 10 she commuted the death sentence of Charles L. “Sonny” Burton to life in prison, a move lauded by Catholic death penalty …
-
“From the teaching of Our Lord, we must conclude that the death penalty is inappropriate because it attacks the inviolability and dignity of the human person”
-
“To oppose the death penalty is to affirm hope — that no one, even a person who has committed a grave crime, is beyond the reach of grace.”
-
Increase in US executions largely driven by Florida, year-end report says
by Kate Scanlonby Kate ScanlonAn October 2025 Gallup poll found that a slim majority of Americans (52%) said they favor the death penalty for people convicted of murder.
