Since 2010, TCADP has organized and/or participated in a number of events featuring prominent faith leaders in cities across Texas. On this page, you’ll find descriptions of those events, a list of participating clergy, and links to pictures and video clips as available.
A Faithful Conversation with Dallas Faith Leaders
December 4, 2012
Paul Quinn College, Dallas, Texas
During this event, which took place at Paul Quinn College in South Dallas, faith leaders representing four different Christian faith traditions shared their perspectives on the death penalty and discussed the challenges of moving Texas away from a culture of vengeance toward a culture of accountability that does not rely on executions. They also addressed how faith leaders and people of faith can take a more proactive role in educating their congregations about the death penalty.
Panelists:
Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, Senior Pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas
Deacon Charles Stump, Director of Pastoral Services for the Catholic Diocese of Dallas overseeing the Hospital Chaplains, Prison Chaplains, Disabled Ministry, Deaf Ministry, Substance Abuse & Addictions Ministry, and Grief Ministry
The Rev. Stanley J. Meyer, D.Min., Bishop Assistant for Leadership and Disciple Life in the Northern Texas – Northern Louisiana Mission Area of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rev. Dr. Wes Magruder, United Methodist pastor and Chair of the Board of Church and Society of the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church
Sponsors: Pax Christi Dallas; Citizens of Mizpah; Dallas Peace Center; Dallas Friends Meeting; Texas Catholic Conference; Catholic Mobilizing Network; Friendship-West Baptist Church; Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation; Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty; General Board of Church and Society United Methodist Church; North Texas United Methodist Church Board of Church and Society; Northern Texas Northern Louisiana Mission Territory of the ELCA
Faithful Considerations: A Discussion with Sister Helen Prejean and
Austin Faith Leaders
October 12, 2012
St. Edward’s University, Austin, Texas
This event featured remarks by Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking, followed by a conversation between her, Dr. John Elford, senior pastor of University United Methodist Church in Austin, and Pastor Nestor Menjivar, pastor of Principe de Paz Baptist Church in Austin, about the role faith leaders play in leading conversations about the death penalty.
View pictures on Facebook. Watch the video.
Sponsors: Catholic Mobilizing Network; Congregational Church of Austin; Diocese of Austin Office of Prolife Activities and Chaste Living; General Board of Church and Society United Methodist Church; Methodist Federation of Social Action—Southwest Texas Chapter; Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation; St. Edward’s University; Liz and Duff Stewart; Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission; Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty; and the Texas Interfaith Center for Public Policy.
Religious Leaders Dialogue Panel
October 24, 2011
Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas
In 2011, a panel of San Antonio’s religious leaders participated in “A Religious Leaders Dialogue on the Death Penalty.” You can watch short video clips of each speaker on our YouTube channel (go to Videos).
Panelists:
Father Larry Christian, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
Rev. Virgilio Vasquez-Garza, Southwest Texas and Rio Grande Conference United Methodist Church
Bishop Ray Tiemann, Southwestern Texas Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rabbi Samuel Stahl, Temple Beth-El
Elder Hilary Shuford, Mission Presbytery
Bishop Robert Hibbs, West Texas Episcopal Diocese
Rev. Rashad Berry, Canaan Missionary Baptist Church
Moderator:
Karen Clifton of the Catholic Mobilizing Network
Question & Answer session moderators: Brother Brian Halderman and Susan Ives of the PEACECenter
Closing Remarks: Bishop Oscar Cantu, Archdiocese of San Antonio
Sponsors: Catholic Mobilizing Network to End the Use of the Death Penalty; Bishop James Dorff, Southwest Texas Annual Conference UMC; Jesuit Fathers of San Antonio; St. Mary’s University; Marianist Social Justice Collaborative; Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation; National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty; Temple Beth-El- Rabbi Barry Block; Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission; Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty; Texas Impact
Religious Leaders Dialogue on the Death Penalty
January 18, 2011
Hobby Center, Houston, Texas
On January 18, 2011, a panel of Houston’s most-esteemed religious leaders participated in “A Dialogue of Religious Leaders on the Death Penalty” at the Hobby Center’s Zilkha Hall in downtown Houston. This unprecedented event preceded the Houston Grand Opera’s performances of the award-winning “Dead Man Walking Opera” from January 22- February 7, 2011. Sister Helen Prejean moderated the panel and provided introductory remarks.
Read more about the event in the Houston Chronicle.
You’ll find short video clips for each speaker at the links below.
Panelists:
Rev. Harvey Clemons, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church
Rev. Mike Cole, New Covenant Presbytery, Presbyterian USA
Cardinal Daniel Dinardo, Archbishop, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Bishop Janice Huie, Texas Annual Conference United Methodist Church
Rabbi David Lyon, Congregation Beth Israel
Rev. Daniel Enrique Meléndez, Iglesia Hispana Nueva Vida
Bishop Michael Rinehart, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod
Question & Answer session moderators: Msgr. Frank Rossi and Father Gene Kelly
Sponsors: Catholic Mobilizing Network to End the Use of the Death Penalty; Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston; Dominican Sisters of Houston; Pleasant Hill Baptist Church; 5th Ward Coalition of Churches; Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty; StandDown Texas Project