In response to the executions of Troy Davisand Lawrence Brewer on September 21, over 150 Catholic theologians have signed a statement calling for the abolition of the death penalty in United States. The theologians stated: "[W]e oppose the death penalty, whether a person on death row is guilty or innocent, on both theological and practical grounds. While we especially deplore and lament the killing of Troy Davis, we also decry the death sentences of the more than 3,200 inmates on death row and the 1,268 executions since the death penalty was reinstated by the Supreme Court in 1976. We urge our nation to abolish capital punishment, and we also implore our churches to work unwaveringly to end it as well as all other threats to human life and dignity." The statement cited former Supreme Court Justice William Brennan, who wrote, "The death penalty is imposed not only in a freakish and discriminatory manner, but also in some cases upon defendants who are innocent." The theologians also pointed to studies showing racial and economic bias in the death penalty system and to past statements from the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops and the Pope. Read full statement below.
A broad spectrum of religious leaders from Wisconsin issued a joint statement regarding their views on the death penalty on October 14. The statement follows:
'Simply put, we cannot support the death penalty' Posted: Oct. 14, 2006
There are many articulate and compelling arguments for rejecting the death penalty referendum on the Nov. 7 ballot.
We will not rehearse those arguments here. As religious leaders, we wish to present a straightforward, values-based argument. We believe that it is important to go beyond the electoral and political aspects of this issue and focus on the deeper moral, ethical and religious questions raised by capital punishment.
Simply put, we cannot support the death penalty. Some religious traditions believe that capital punishment is simply wrong. Others of us believe that either it is not needed in a modern society or it cannot be applied justly.We are deeply concerned about the possibility that the death penalty might be restored in Wisconsin.
On Monday, June 7, the Pennsylvania State Government Management and Cost Study Commission will hear from experts on proposals to cut the costs of various government programs. The Commission, established in 2009, is comprised of private and public sector cost-minded leaders in Pennsylvania and has been charged with studying the management of government operations and making recommendations for cost-cutting measures. Among the experts who will testify at the hearing is Richard Dieter, Executive Director of the Death Penalty Information Center, who will provide information on the high costs of the death penalty. His testimony states: "[T]he death penalty is not an essential government function and, in fact, is probably one of the least effective and most costly programs, when measured in terms of the people it affects. What Pennsylvania calls the death penalty is in reality a very expensive form of life without parole. Despite having the fourth largest death row in the country, Pennsylvania has not had an execution in 11 years" and no "contested execution since 1962." Read full text of Richard Dieter's testimony below.
The Medical Society of New Jersey recently approved a resolution calling upon the American Medical Association (AMA) to advocate for the "abolition of capital punishment by each jurisdiction in the United States of America ... and replace it with life in prison without the possibility of parole." Among the stated rationales for the resolution, the society noted that "Numerous reports document pernicious and recurring errors and other fallibilities associated with the judicial process of capital punishment as currently imposed that include flawed testimony provided by medical scientists." The Society also pointed to the fact that New Jersey had recently abolished the death penalty. Currently, the American Medical Association Code of Medical Ethics states: "A physician, as a member of a profession dedicated to preserving life when there is hope of doing so, should not be a participant in a legally authorized execution." The New Jersey delegation is scheduled to speak for the resolution at the AMA's annual meeting in June 2010.
SANTA FE - Governor Bill Richardson today signed House Bill 285, Repeal of the Death Penalty. The Governor's remarks follow:
Today marks the end of a long, personal journey for me and the issue of the death penalty.
Throughout my adult life, I have been a firm believer in the death penalty as a just punishment - in very rare instances, and only for the most heinous
crimes. I still believe that.
But six years ago, when I took office as Governor of the State of New Mexico, I started to challenge my own thinking on the death penalty.
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Thank you.
On Monday, June 7, the Pennsylvania State Government Management and Cost Study Commission will hear from experts on proposals to cut the costs of various government programs. The Commission, established in 2009, is comprised of private and public sector cost-minded leaders in Pennsylvania and has been charged with studying the management of government operations and making recommendations for cost-cutting measures. Among the experts who will testify at the hearing is Richard Dieter, Executive Director of the Death Penalty Information Center, who will provide information on the high costs of the death penalty. His testimony states: "[T]he death penalty is not an essential government function and, in fact, is probably one of the least effective and most costly programs, when measured in terms of the people it affects. What Pennsylvania calls the death penalty is in reality a very expensive form of life without parole. Despite having the fourth largest death row in the country, Pennsylvania has not had an execution in 11 years" and no "contested execution since 1962." Read full text of Richard Dieter's testimony below.
