Catholics Against the Death Penalty

With Elections coming up, our Church has called us to be faithful citizens, learn about our Church’s social teaching, and vote according to those teachings.

During this Jubilee Year of Mercy, the Catholic Bishops of California support Proposition 62 which would end the use of the death penalty in California. The commitment to halt the practice of capital punishment is rooted both in the Catholic faith and their pastoral experience.

The Bishops of the United States have long opposed the use of capital punishment. In the past, it was sometimes morally justified in order to protect society but those times have passed. Proposition 62 provides voters with the opportunity to end this practice in California, just as 19 other states have already done.

The Bishops of California also oppose Proposition 66 which will expedite executions in California. The search for a fair and humane execution process and protocol has failed for decades. Any rush to streamline that process will inevitably result in the execution of more innocent people. Neither the proponents nor the opponents of the death penalty wish this result.

In the following links, you will be able to obtain more detailed information regarding these two propositions and what the Church asks of us as Faithful Christians. There will also be information on how you can help support the CATHOLICS AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY campaign.

California Catholics