According to the Death Penalty Information Center and Catholics Against Capital Punishment, for the first time in recent years the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ annual Respect Life Program will urge participants to make opposition to the use of the death penalty a significant part of their efforts to carry out the Church’s pro-life teachings. The Respect Life Program takes place throughout the month of October. In their 1980 Statement on Capital Punishment, the U.S. Bishops voiced their opposition to the death penalty and affirmed the Catholic Church’s belief in the sanctity of all human life.
The USCCB’s Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities has developed a packet of materials for parishes and other groups to use throughout the month. These include articles on key issues, homily notes, intercessions, and a liturgy guide. Materials are available in English and Spanish and can be downloaded from http://www.usccb.org/prolife/programs/rlp/2010/. TCADP urges all of its Catholic members to consider working within your parishes to organize an activity or program on the death penalty in October. Please let us know how we can help your efforts!
Read an article from Kansas City – St. Joseph Bishop Robert W. Finn: “Divine Mercy and the Death Penalty,” which is part of the packet of materials.