Pax Christi USA condemns 1000th execution in the United States

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December 2005

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Pax Christi USA condemns
1000th execution in the United States
Pax Christi USA joined more than 1,000 religious leaders throughout the nation in issuing an “Open Letter from Faith Leaders Regarding the 1,000th Execution in the United States Since the Reinstatement of Capital Punishment,” a letter that reaffirms their strong moral opposition to the death penalty and calls for an end to this practice. The signatories of the letter represent more than a dozen faith traditions and come from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

On November 29, Governor Mark Warner of Virginia commuted the death sentence of Robin Lovitt, who was scheduled for execution on November 30. Kenneth Boyd in North Carolina is now scheduled to be the 1,000th person to be executed in the United States since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976. The State of North Carolina is poised to carry out his execution at 2:00 AM on Friday, December 2. Another execution is scheduled to take place in South Carolina later that same day.

Voicing his belief in the sacredness of human life and the human capacity for change, Pax Christi USA Executive Director Dave Robinson also expressed serious concern that the death penalty “has consistently been shown to be ineffective, unfair, and inaccurate” and noted that 122 people have now been released from death rows across the country due to evidence of wrongful conviction.

The 1,000th execution comes at a time when many Americans are questioning the need for the death penalty in our modern society. Just two weeks ago, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved new, stronger language aimed at ending the use of the death penalty in the United States. With this action, the bishops strengthen the position they first adopted 25 years ago. Representatives from a dozen Archdioceses and Dioceses are among the signatories of this open letter.

These diverse clergy and lay religious leaders appeal to state and federal officials to examine the realities of capital punishment and seek ways to achieve healing and restorative justice for all who suffer because of violence in our society. They are joined in this effort by hundreds of faith communities nationwide that have pledged to toll their bells on the day of this execution and/or have organized vigils to recognize all victims of violence. In addition, more than 300 law school, graduate, and undergraduate professors have issued their own open letter, calling for a thorough examination of the death penalty system.

Other prominent religious leaders who have signed the letter include: Jim Winkler, General Secretary, The General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church; Bob Edgar, General Secretary, National Council of Churches; Rev. Elenora Giddings Ivory Director, Washington Office Presbyterian Church (USA); Rev. William G. Sinkford, President, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations; Rev. Phil Jones, Director of the Church of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office; Rev. James F. Schrag, Executive Director, Mennonite Church USA; Rabbi Marla J. Feldman, Director, Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism; Rabbi David Saperstein, Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; Rev. Sala W.J. Gonzalez-Nolan, Minister for Criminal Justice and Human Rights, Justice and Witness Ministries, United Church of Christ; Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ, Author of Dead Man Walking and Death of Innocents; Mary Ellen McNish, General Secretary for the American Friends Service Committee; and Pat Clark, Executive Director, Fellowship of Reconciliation.

Numerous heads of state councils/conferences of churches, Episcopal Dioceses, Presbyterys, and religious orders of men and women have signed the letter, as well.

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