On this Good Friday, a day when we recall our Savior s own execution, we appeal to all people of goodwill, and especially Catholics, to work to end the death penalty. As we approach the next millennium, we are challenged by the evolution in Catholic teaching on this subject and encouraged by new and growing efforts to stop executions around the world. Our Holy Father has called us with new urgency to stand against capital punishment. We hope they will come to see, as we have, that more violence is not the answer. However many in the Catholic community are at the forefront of efforts to end capital punishment at state and national levels.
Catholics join with others in prayerful witness against executions.
We stand in opposition to state laws that would permit capital punishment and federal laws that would expand it. We strongly encourage all within the Catholic community to support victims of crime and their families. This can be a compassionate response to the terrible pain and anger associated with the serious injury or murder of a loved one. Our family of faith must stand with them as they struggle to overcome their terrible loss and find some sense of peace. We fully support and encourage these and other efforts to uphold the dignity of all human life.