Made in God's image and likeness, each person is the clearest reflection of the Creator, and possesses a dignity that no one can take away. A truly humane and responsible society cannot abdicate its moral responsibilities regarding the many issues related to the protection and enhancement of human life. Because life is both sacred and social, society must protect and foster it at all stages and in all circumstances, through institutions such as state government. When any human being becomes a victim of violence, we all suffer diminishment of our own human dignity. When any human life ends at the hands of another person, all human life becomes vulnerable.
Capital punishment seeks to remedy violent crime or murder by taking the perpetrator's life.
We are convinced, however, that this is not an appropriate response. We believe that capital punishment undermines rather than witnesses to the sacredness of human life. Moreover, it fails to combat crime effectively and to build a society that is free from crime. Furthermore, it does not help the victims who survive or relieve the pain and loss of the victims who do not. Accordingly, the Catholic Conference of Illinois has joined others opposed to capital punishment to appeal for clemency in each of the state's scheduled executions since 1990, and where relevant, for consideration of particular circumstances that would appear to mitigate against use of the death penalty.