Resources on the Death Penalty

“The dignity of human life must never be taken away, even in the case of someone who has done great evil. Modern society has the means of protecting itself, without definitively denying criminals the chance to reform.”
--Pope John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae, 1995

Join our REPEAL Committee!

In collaboration with and headed by the Louisiana Coalition Against the Death Penalty (LCADP), the Office of Marriage & Family Life for the Diocese of Baton Rouge has a REPEAL committee that meets a few times a year to discuss current events and legislative issues dealing with the Death Penalty in our state. We also brainstorm on new ways we can get involved or help our parishes get involved to change minds and hearts regarding this sensitive issue. If you would like to get involved with this committee, please contact Shannon Baldridge at sbaldridge@diobr.org or 225-242-0323. 

Prayer Vigil for Chris Sepulvado on Evening of His Execution

THERE HAS BEEN A STAY OF EXECUTION FOR CHRIS SEPULVADO. THE PRAYER VIGIL HAS BEEN CANCELLED UNTIL A NEW EXECUTION DATE IS SET. STAY TUNED! 
Click here for details from the news. 

We, as a people of the Catholic faith, believe in the value and protection of all human life from the moment of conception to natural death. We stand together in defense of those who cannot defend themselves, as the protectors of life and the voice of mercy, hope, and redemption.

Believing in the forgiveness and the redeeming power of Christ, we ask you to join us at a peaceful Prayer Vigil to pray for Christopher Sepulvado, 70 years old, who is scheduled to be executed in the evening on Wednesday, February 5th. We will be praying for the end of the death penalty in Louisiana. We will also remember the young victim, William Allen Mercer, during our vigil. 

For more information about the death penalty in Louisiana, visit the website of the Louisiana Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. For more information about Catholics in the effort to end the use of the death penalty in our nation, visit the website of Catholics Mobilizing Network. 

Our office will be working with the Prison Ministry Office of Catholic Charities and the LCADP in this effort. 

Homily Helps
Intercessory Prayers to Use at Mass
Sanctity of Life Bulletin Article
Statement by the LA Bishops 2014

Here are some fact sheets on the Death Penalty:
Louisiana: Death Penalty Facts
Why Say 'No' to the Death Penalty?
DPIC Facts about the Death Penalty
Catholic Responses to the Death Penalty

Click here for more resources on the Death Penalty. 

The Catholic Church and the Death Penalty

+USCCB: Questions and Answers on the Death Penalty
+Life Matters: The Death Penalty
+Catholic Campaign to End the Death Penalty
+Statement from the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops on the Execution of Christopher Sepulvado February 2013
+Statement by the LA Bishops on Sepulvado case 2014
+Catholic Responses to the Death Penalty

Education and Resources on the Death Penalty

Fact Sheets from the LCADP:
Louisiana: Death Penalty Facts
Why Say 'No' to the Death Penalty?
DPIC Facts about the Death Penalty

Articles:
Catholic Social Thought and the Death Penalty by Alex Mikulich, Ph.D., from Jesuit Social Research Institute

Diminishing All of Us: The Death Penalty in Louisiana by Dr. Alex Mikulich and Sophie Cull, a JSRI publication

Sanctity of Life Bulletin Article

Websites

+Louisiana Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
+Catholics Mobilizing Network
+Jesuit Social Research Institute

Jesus on Trial Event

The Jesus on Trial event took place in our diocese on Sunday, November 10, 2013 at St. George Catholic Church in an attempt to open discussion about the death penalty in our nation. The Office of Marriage & Family Life worked with the LCADP and JSRI to bring Mark Osler and Jeanne Bishop here to host this event. See images from that local mock trial below.

Jesus of Nazareth has one of the most notable death penalty trials in the world. Many are familiar with the turn of events and even more are familiar with the outcome. This presentation is led by University of St. Thomas Law Professor Mark Osler from Minnesota, an attorney who "prosecutes" Jesus and Jeanne Bishop, an attorney from Chicago, who plays the public defender who "defends" Jesus. 

These attorneys bring Jesus and all of the circumstances surrounding his life into a Louisiana courtroom and try him for blasphemy. The trial will include all aspects of a criminal trial including witnesses, cross-examinations, and exhibits. Individuals in attendance will be asked to participate in the trial by acting as the jury members. In the end, the jury will have to decide whether Jesus deserves to live or die based on the evidence they have heard. 

This event invites participants to reflect on the contemporary use of the death penalty in light of the witness of Jesus in the Gospel.

"Woman touched by violence believes in murderer's redemption" article about Jeanne Bishop by the Chicago Tribune"Death penalty opponents put 'Jesus on Trial': Jarvis DeBerry" article about the Jesus on Trial event in New Orleans
"Jesus on Trial: What would a modern jury do?" article by Eric Marrapodi, CNN Belief Blog Co-Editor