The
Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate
Word, Houston, Texas has taken a Public Stance against
the Death Penalty by a vote of the total membership.
This decision came after a two year process in which
all members of the Congregation participated in prayer,
discussion and workshops on the issue. With the deepest
compassion we stand with the victims of violence and
the perpetrators and their families.
March, 2009
A bill HB 682 has been introduced for consideration
by the House of Representatives of the Texas Legislature. The
Bill is calling for the repeal of the death penalty
in Texas. On March 10th, The Texas Coalition
against the Death Penalty, held a Lobby Day in Austin. 35 people visited their Representatives and distributed
information about the Bill. Two days later
a public hearing was held on the bill. It has
now gone to the Criminal Justice Jurisprudence committee
for further consideration. We hope and pray
that this bill will come for a vote before the full
House of Representatives.
Please contact your district Representative in Austin
to support this bill.
Our belief in the teachings
of Jesus Christ that we must seek justice with
mercy and forgiveness, and our solidarity with those
who respect all of life compelled us to take this
stance. We publicly declare our opposition to the
death penalty and we will work to bring about a moratorium
and eventual abolition of the death penalty.
This page has been produced as a demonstration
of our commitment. We have included specific actions
YOU can take to improve our justice system, call for
a moratorium on the death penalty, and be in solidarity
with families of victims and those on death row. By
joining together in our efforts, we add strength to
our unified voice of love and compassion toward all
of God’s children.
The Congregation has produced a publication
which includes reflections from many faiths and personal
stories by those who's loved ones have been touched
by violence as well as families of those on death row.
To receive a copy of this publication free of charge
you may contact us by email.
Sister Margaret Bulmer, CCVI
Legislative and Community Advocacy
Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Houston
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A crucified Jesus Christ, an innocent
victim of the death penalty, is cradled in his mother's
arms in Michelangelo's famous Piata. Mary, his mother,
looks on his limp body with overwhelming sorrow. Her
son was held as a common prisoner and executed in accordance
with the law of the day by crucifixion.
Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of
Judea, could find no fault with Jesus. For political
expedience, he simply washed his hands to cleanse himself
of the decision to kill him.
Today the method of execution has changed,
but people in the United States of America continue
to be put to death under the auspices of the judiciary
system.
How can we, as a society, continue to
permit the legal taking of a human life?
By ignoring the death penalty, are we
simply washing our hands while allowing this inhumane
act to continue?
Will you merely stand by or are you willing
to take action to stop the killings?
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Corporate Stance on the Abolition of
the Death Penalty
Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word
Houston, TX
2003
We, the Sisters of Charity of
the Incarnate Word, Houston, Texas are called to
reverence life in all its forms from conception to
natural death. At this time in our history, we see
everywhere a growing disregard for the sacredness
of human life.
We are challenged to reverence
all of life and we declare our opposition to the
death penalty.
The United States Catholic Bishops
have stated: "Jesus Christ taught us to seek
justice with mercy, to love our enemies and to pray
for those that persecute us. We add our voice to
the public debate on the issue of the death penalty
in hopes that we will not harden our hearts in the
face of unspeakable violence, but will eventually
decide that the best response to violence and death
is the biblical call to choose life."
We stand in solidarity with
Pope John Paul II, the United States Catholic Conference
of Bishops, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious,
the Conference of Major Superiors of Men and other
Religious traditions who have called for the abolition
of the death penalty on religious, moral or humanitarian
grounds.
We believe that life in prison
without parole is an effective and viable alternative
to the death penalty.
We pledge to address the roots
of violence, the inequalities in our justice system
and call for reform in our prison systems.
Through prayer and support,
we will reach out in compassion to families of both
victims and perpetrators, supporting them in their
loss and pain.
We will work
with others to call for an immediate moratorium
on the death penalty and do all we can to bring
about the abolition of the death penalty in our
country.
Victims are people with many needs. Those
needs may be spiritual, physical, and emotional. Victims
and their families should be in our prayers always.
The abolition of the death penalty in
no way lessens our sympathy, love and need to reach
out to them. It is simply removing the false expectation
that the murder of another human being will somehow
remove all hurt or return a lost loved one.
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The names of Death Row inmates are available on a variety of websites or by
calling the prison system of states where the death penalty is still permitted.
Write a letter of support to an inmate or send that person a card. Send a birthday
card. Let the inmate know that he or she is included in your prayers.
In your own prayers remember those who are on death row and their families
as well as the victims of violence. There is so much suffering, please offer
your own prayers to ease the pain of all involved.
There are many good books, brochures and websites with information in support
of abolishing the death penalty. Read all you can to educate yourself. As you
come across stories or facts of interest, make copies and send them to others.
Keep the flow of interest going.
Check your local newspaper or church bulletin for the times and locations of
Prayer Vigils. Some are offered on the actual day of executions and others
at specific times during the month. If there are no Prayer Vigils in your area,
organize one.
There are many form letters available on the Internet, but a personal letter
straight from your heart is the best. Call or write your legislators and do
it regularly.
Contact your priest, minister or rabbi about hosting a program. Guest speakers
through a variety of organizations are often available. If you can’t
find anyone, present the information yourself.
Collect signatures yourself and send them to your legislators. Together our
voices will be heard.
Dead Man Walking – Sr. Helen
Prejean
Actual Innocence – Berry Scheck
et al
The Rope, the Chair, and the Needle – James
Marquart et al
Legal Lynching – Rev. Jesse Jackson
In Spite of Innocence – Michael
Radelet et al
Against the Death Penalty – Gardner
Hanks
Who Owns Death? Capital Punishment, the American
Conscience and the End of Executions – Robert
Jay Lifton and Greg Mitchell.
When the State Kills: Capital Punishment and
the American Condition – Austin Sarat
The Wrong Man: A True Story of Innocence on
Death Row – Michael Mello
Don’t Kill in our Name – Rachel
King
Dead
Penalty Information Center: www.deathpenaltyinfo.org
National
Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty: www.ncadp.org
Amnesty
International: www.amnestyusa.org/abolish/
Death
Penalty News / Updates: http://people.smu.edu/rhalperi/
Equal
Justice USA: www.quixote.org/ej
Texas
Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty: www.tcadp.org
Moratorium
Campaign: www.moratorium.org
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