In the area served by the Diocese of Springfield. There are over 300,000 Catholics. Our Church has a strong teaching concerning the value of human life. We believe and teach human life is to be valued and protected from the very moment of conception until the time of natural death. That belief includes strong opposition to capital punishment.
Modern society has the means of protecting itself without denying criminals the chance to reform.
We live in a violent culture. As Catholics our community believes and teaches to all that will listen that the only way to counter this violence is to strengthen support for all human life. This respect for life extends to all the vulnerable, the unborn and even to someone convicted of a series of terrible crimes. The taking of a human life is a horrific act and a crime of inestimable wrong. Murder, in any and every form must be punished.