Most Americans support life imprisonment over the death penalty, according to a Gallup poll released Nov. 24, 2019, revealing a shift in the majority opinion on this issue for the first time in 34 years.
Most Americans support life in prison over death penalty, says new poll
In death penalty discussion, U.S. bishops emphasize human dignity, mercy
The Catholic Church’s opposition to the death penalty stems from its view on the sacredness of human life and the value of mercy, said U.S. bishops in a roundtable discussion about capital punishment Oct. 10.
Catholic leaders object to reinstatement of federal death penalty
The July 25 announcement by the Justice Department that it is reinstating the federal death penalty for the first time in 16 years was unwelcome news for Catholic leaders who have advocated against capital punishment.
Justice Stevens changed death penalty views during three decades on court
Retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, who served on the court for nearly 35 years, died July 16 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at age 99.
Bishops may revise U.S. catechism to update capital punishment stance
During their June 11-13 meeting in Baltimore, the U.S. bishops are looking at what the U.S. church teaches its adult members about the death penalty and they will vote about adding a revised passage to the U.S. Catechism for Adults about this.
Executions down globally, but up in U.S., says Amnesty International
The number of executions worldwide has dropped by almost one-third, Amnesty International said in its latest review of the death penalty.
Supreme Court blocks death penalty case of inmate with dementia
The Supreme Court is sending a death-row case back to the lower courts to determine if the inmate’s dementia, brought on by strokes he suffered while on death row, should prevent him from being executed.
Death penalty a ‘grave’ violation of human right to life, pope says
In a video message to participants at the World Congress Against the Death Penalty Feb. 27, Pope Francis said the death penalty is a cruel violation of the basic right to life and robs people of the chance to repent and make amends for the crimes they have committed.