Redemption is Possible. Abolish the Death Penalty.
We are a group of Catholics from the Raleigh, North Carolina diocese that want to see an end to the death penalty in our state. It’s that simple, and it’s that complicated. There’s been a moratorium, for 16 years, on executions in North Carolina, and I thank God for each and every day of those 16 years, because of the men that I’ve come to know on death row over the last three years.
One of the parishes in our diocese, St. Francis of Assisi, in Raleigh, has had a pen pal ministry with the men on Death Row at Central Prison for approximately 20 years – no one seems to know the exact length of time – that’s how long it’s been around. It’s very successful with dozens of people corresponding and visiting with these often overlooked men. One rarely goes to visit someone on death row without running into another member of the parish doing the same. Visiting is certainly not a requirement to be a pen pal, but friendships form, and phone calls and visits naturally follow. We make up an unusual family of which we’re blessed to be a part.
Catholics for Abolition in North Carolina, also known as CANC, began with an email discussion about ending the death penalty between Raleigh Diocesan Deacon Joshua Klickman and me in January 2022. We both believe in the sanctity of all life and that this is one atrocity (of so many in our world today) that can be eliminated with prayer, education, and responsible, educated voting. As Deacon Josh said the first time we met via Zoom, “All we have to do is stop killing people.” Again, that simple, and yet, that complicated.
Our key members come from various parishes around the diocese, and we hope that, as word gets out, more people will join us as abolitionists in formation and advocacy. We want those who join us to then reach out to their own parishioners to get them involved in this work. There are Catholics who are unaware that the Catechism of the Catholic Church was changed in 2018, making the death penalty “inadmissible” and instructing her to work for “its abolition worldwide.” As Catholics, we are mandated to end this scourge, as Christ mandated that we love our enemies and do good to them – even to those who harm us.
There are a total of 135 men and two women on death row in North Carolina, as of August 2022. And even though executions are not being carried out, opportunities to sentence people to capital punishment still actively exist. Part of what CANC wants to do is to educate Catholics that who we vote into office as district attorneys and judges in our counties (and up the line) makes a difference! If you are already against the death penalty, then be sure that you’re not electing people that do not hold your values on this subject.
If you want to advocate for those awaiting a barbaric execution, sanctioned by the State of North Carolina, please join our organization as we continue the fight that other good people started before us. Join in prayer, in educating our sisters and brothers in Christ, and in voting for those who want to end capital punishment. Become a voice for the voiceless and often forgotten. Become an abolitionist! It’s that simple, and yet that complicated.
