The topic for letter writing is the federal abolition of the death penalty. Letters will be available to read and consider signing.
The death penalty violates both the Church’s pro-life teaching and the teaching on the inherent dignity of the human person as created in the image and likeness of God. Not only does the death penalty target innocent lives, but also those with mental illness, intellectual disability, and people of color. It also redirects funds that could be used to help victims’ families harmed by violence heal.
On July 13, 2023, The Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act (H.R. 1124/S. 582) was reintroduced in both the House and the Senate. This bicameral legislation would abolish capital punishment at the federal level. This bill was first introduced in 2021. National decision-makers from both sides of the aisle need to hear that ending the federal death penalty is a top priority for Catholics and people of good will. H.R. 1124/S. 582 will need strong bipartisan support in order to pass.
As Catholics, we are called to live with justice and mercy and uphold the value of all life. Our Catechism states that the death penalty is "inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person" (2267).