capital punishment
Faith groups celebrate Virginia’s death penalty ban
By Jack Jenkins — March 25, 2021
(RNS) — Some faith leaders are now hoping the Biden administration will follow suit.
Okla. death row inmate, subject of prayer rally, to get second clemency hearing
By Adelle M. Banks — March 8, 2021
(RNS) — ‘I just believe that we’re on God’s side,’ said the Rev. Cece Jones-Davis, director of the campaign supporting Julius Jones.
Amy Coney Barrett joins liberal justices to stay execution, grant inmate’s pastor access
By Jack Jenkins — February 12, 2021
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The result hinted at Barrett's broader approach to religious liberty.
A former Confederate state just voted to abolish its death penalty. Here’s why that’s a big deal
By Shane Claiborne — February 5, 2021
(RNS) — Virginia has a special place in America's history of racial terror.
Is killing Lisa Montgomery the best version of justice we have?
By Shane Claiborne — January 11, 2021
(RNS) — Lisa Montgomery is slated to become the first woman executed by the federal government in nearly 70 years, days before her executioner leaves office.
Barr the executioner
By Mark Silk — December 21, 2020
(RNS) — The departing attorney general seemingly went out of his way to reject his church's teaching on the death penalty.
The death penalty is a burden of shame for the United States. It must end
By Diane Randall — December 11, 2020
(RNS) — The death penalty denies the sacredness of human life, forever foreclosing on the opportunity for redemption.
Pope’s new book speaks to Americans on racism, immigration and gender equity
By Thomas Reese — December 9, 2020
(RNS) — Readers will be surprised how relevant the book’s message is to American Catholics and the country’s leaders.
Federal executions are one more example of Trump administration overreach
By Shane Claiborne — July 29, 2020
(RNS) — This month’s federal executions are the first in 17 years, but may only be the beginning. The next federal execution is scheduled for Aug. 28, and there are 59 more federal inmates facing the death penalty.
Death in the middle of death: On the execution of Walter Barton
By Shane Claiborne — May 26, 2020
(RNS) — The pandemic has caused us to rethink a lot of things, and one can only hope that executing people is one of the things we don’t want to return to.
The hero of the film ‘Just Mercy’ could be you
By Shane Claiborne — January 2, 2020
(RNS) — The biopic about the work of Bryan Stevenson isn't about a man, but a social justice movement that any one of us can join.
Federal judge gives Buddhist death row inmate another stay of execution
By Aysha Khan — November 13, 2019
(RNS) — The Texas death row inmate’s execution has now been stayed twice this year over concerns for religious freedom.
Sister Helen Prejean on new book, getting rid of death penalty and getting Jesus ‘right’
By Emily McFarlan Miller — August 20, 2019
(RNS) — Sister Helen Prejean talked to Religion News Service about how she became involved in social justice, why she thinks the death penalty is on its way out and how she got to 'bump into two popes along the way.'
Can faithful Catholics vote for President Trump?
By John Gehring — August 9, 2019
(RNS) — The nation's Catholic bishops include racist behavior among the sins that 'may legitimately disqualify a candidate from receiving support.'
Will grace prevail as Tennessee execution looms?
By Shane Claiborne — May 9, 2019
(RNS) — The daughter of Don Johnson has taken up his case not only to save his life, but to set herself free from the violence that has kept her prisoner.
