As a civilized society, we must struggle to find more humane, more hopeful and more effective responses to violent crime. The cycle of violence will only be broken when we begin to take personal responsibility for our actions and to respond as individuals to the social conditions which breed crime. We pledge to do all that we can, both pastorally and legislatively, to promote strong family life, mend broken homes, improve education, provide more jobs, stop drug abuse, keep guns off the streets and lift the poor out of poverty. Capital punishment is the easy way out of addressing the complex, pervasive and expensive problems which surround us. The death penalty is no more the answer for violent crime than abortion is the answer for unplanned pregnancies.
Death is never the answer.
We recognize that many persons in good conscience disagree with our position. We urge their careful review and serious reflection on the considerations offered and encourage them always to remember violence affects not just criminal justice statistics, but also fragile human lives. We extend our prayers and compassion to the innocent victims of crime and their families. We pledge our resources to healing and helping victims and their families, to assuring just compensation, and to raising social awareness. Every citizen has a responsibility to foster an attitude of respect for human life and to affirm the dignity of our sisters and brothers.