death penalty
Judge: Execution can’t proceed without religious requests
By Juan A. Lozano — July 7, 2022
HOUSTON (AP) — Texas Department of Criminal Justice officials granted all of Gonzales’ requests except for allowing his spiritual adviser to hold his hand.
If Nancy Pelosi is denied Communion, why not William Barr?
By John Gehring — May 24, 2022
(RNS) — Punishing one and celebrating the other, some Catholic leaders act like mere partisans.
Buddy Stouffer’s execution was the last of 2021. Will it be the last to be proved an error?
By Shane Claiborne — December 14, 2021
(RNS) — For every nine executions, there is one exoneration.
Julius Jones was spared by a governor who prayed. Let’s all now pray to end the death penalty.
By Shane Claiborne — November 19, 2021
(RNS) — If Christians alone agreed to stop executing people today, it would end the death penalty overnight.
High court skeptical of Texas death row inmate prayer demand
By Jessica Gresko — November 9, 2021
The outcome won't take anyone off death row but could make clear what religious accommodations officials must make for inmates who are being put to death.
Lawmakers, pope ask Missouri governor to halt execution
By Jim Salter — October 4, 2021
In a letter last week, a representative for Pope Francis wrote that the pope “wishes to place before you the simple fact of Mr. Johnson’s humanity and the sacredness of all human life," referring to Ernest Johnson.
Another Texas execution delayed on religious freedom claims
By Juan A. Lozano — September 17, 2021
The Supreme Court granted him a stay because his spiritual adviser was not allowed to accompany him in the death chamber.
Faith leaders backing Okla. death row inmate hail parole board’s commutation request
By Adelle M. Banks — September 14, 2021
(RNS) — Clergy from across the country had advocated for Julius Jones, holding rallies and writing letters in hopes of getting him clemency or release from prison.
Texas man gets execution delay over pastor’s touch request
By Juan A. Lozano and Michael Graczyk — September 9, 2021
HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — John Henry Ramirez won a reprieve Wednesday evening from execution after claiming the state was violating his religious freedom by not letting his pastor lay hands on him at the time of his lethal injection.
Couple charged in kids’ deaths face potential death penalty
By Rebecca Boone — August 6, 2021
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — In the Idaho indictments, prosecutors said the Daybells promoted their apocalyptical religious beliefs in order to justify the killings.
Overturn Dylann Roof’s death sentence — for me, not for him
By Sharon Risher — June 1, 2021
(RNS) — Despite the damage done to my family, and possibly because of it, I reject the death penalty.
The death penalty’s last gasp?
By Shane Claiborne — May 18, 2021
(RNS) — Quintin Jones' death will be the first state execution in nine months.
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.
Faith leaders urge clemency for Okla. death row inmate, cite mounting evidence
By Adelle M. Banks — March 3, 2021
(RNS) — ‘I have spent the past twenty years on death row for a crime I did not commit,’ Julius Jones wrote in his commutation application.
