Death Penalty

Corporate Stance:
In the spirit of Jubilee Justice, with the hope fostered at the beginning of this new millennium, and because we believe in the sanctity of all life, from its conception to its natural end, we, the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio, and our Associates, support Moratorium 2000, calling for a moratorium on executions in the United States. (Adopted November 2000)

Corporate stance:
The Sisters of St. Francis oppose the death penalty. Because we believe that each person is made in God’s image and likeness, we oppose the use of capital punishment as a means to punish persons for their crimes. We believe it is inconsistent with the Gospel message of love and healing and is contrary to our Franciscan value of reverence for all creation. Such structured violence works to cheapen life and escalate violence.
We will work to abolish the death penalty in our country and promote the sanctity of life on all levels. We stand with all victims of crime and offer our prayer and support. (Adopted November 1995)

Resources:
American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio: http://www.acluohio.org/issues/death_penalty/death_penalty.htm
Amnesty International USA: http://www.amnestyusa.org/abolish/index.do
Catholics against Capital Punishment: http://www.cacp.org/
Death Penalty Information Center: http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/
National Coalition against the Death Penalty: http://www.ncadp.org/

Information on pending executions in the USA: http://www.amnestyusa.org/abolish/listpending.do