New pledge aims to amplify Catholic opposition to death penalty

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Washington D.C., May 14, 2017 / 06:01 am (CNA).- A Catholic pledge against the death penalty cites Pope Francis’ stand as a motive to increase Catholic action against capital punishment.

“Catholics and all like-minded individuals need to sign it; it is a pledge that will go about urging people to educate, advocate, and pray for an end to capital punishment,” Bishop Frank Dewane of Venice, Florida said.

The bishop, who heads the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, told a press call May 11 that he had signed the anti-death penalty pledge from the Catholic Mobilizing Network.

Bishop Dewane said the pledge will encourage parish priests to talk more about the death penalty.

“It is a matter of life, so they need to be talking about it,” he said.

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/new-pledge-aims-to-amplify-catholic-opposition-to-death-penalty-57559/