Bishops Welcome Repeal Of Death Penalty In Connecticut

WASHINGTON—The U.S.Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) congratulated the Connecticut bishops,the Connecticut Catholic Conference, Catholic Mobilizing Network, and alldedicated advocates against the death penalty for their work to bring about therepeal of the death penalty in Connecticut. Governor Dan Malloy enacted the legislation April 25,making Connecticut the 17th state to repeal the death penalty.

“As Catholics we are dedicated topromoting a consistent ethic of life, which values all human life as full ofdignity and inherent worth – even those convicted of the worst crimes,” saidBishop Stephen E. Blaire, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justiceand Human Development. “We welcome the courageous decision by the governor andthe legislature to abolish the use of the death penalty in Connecticut. Westand in solidarity with all those who work for a just and safe society thatprotects its citizens and upholds the sanctity and dignity of all human life.”

Pope Benedict XVI, like hispredecessor John Paul II, has called for the end of the use of the deathpenalty. In November 2011, Pope Benedict expressed support for efforts for“political and legislative initiatives being promoted in a growing number ofcountries to eliminate the death penalty.”

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