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.

NEWS

Execution machine switched off

November, 7 2007

THE MACHINERY of death in the U.S. has been halted. On October 30, the U.S. Supreme Court stopped an execution in Mississippi minutes before it was due to take place--on the grounds that the justices are considering a different case in which the constitutionality of the use of lethal injection to kill condemned prisoners is at stake. Opponents of the death penalty have held their breath with each approaching execution after the Supreme Court said it would hear the lethal injection appeal. State officials and lower court judges continued to sign off on planned executions--in effect, a challenge to the legal tradition of delaying related decisions until the Supreme Court sets a precedent on a case it has taken up.

Source: National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty

Our Beliefs

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 victim of the Death Penalty

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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Abolition

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.

 

Support for Victims

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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Take Action

Adopt a Death Row inmate.
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.

Pray for victims of violence, death row inmates and their families.
In your own payers 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.

Collect and share information.
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.

Attend a Prayer Vigil.
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.

Contact your legislators to express your opposition to the death penalty.
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.

Host a program about the death penalty in your Congregation/Church/Synagogue.
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.

Circulate petitions calling for a moratorium on the death penalty.
Collect signatures yourself and send them to your legislators. Together our voices will be heard.

 

Resources

Reading

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

Websites

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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