Recent court developments have given death penalty opponents hope and provided a teaching moment for the Catholic bishops of Missouri to educate on the death penalty.

On February 1, 2006, the United States Supreme Court turned down an appeal from the State of Missouri to lift a stay of execution for Michael Taylor who was scheduled to die on that day. In his first ruling on the court Justice Samuel Alito sided with Taylor’s claim that lethal injection is cruel and unusual punishment. As a result of this decision the Eighth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals will hear arguments in Mr. Taylor’s case on April 18, 2006, in St. Louis to determine whether the way Missouri administers lethal injection is unconstitutionally cruel and inhumane punishment.

This action by the U.S. Supreme Court is very significant. In recent weeks four death row inmates on the verge of execution were granted last minute stays by the high court. However, at the same time, other executions have been allowed to go forward. All of the executions in the various states have been by lethal injection, and almost all of the inmates raised similar legal challenges to the lethal injection process.

The upcoming hearing on lethal injection provided an opportunity for the Catholic bishops of Missouri to educate and encourage Catholics to become involved in abolition efforts. In their pastoral letter released this week the bishops reaffirmed Church teaching that the death penalty is unnecessary and unjustified in our time and circumstances. They urged Catholics to pray for a successful court decision on the lethal injection case so that executions will be prevented. In their letter the bishops also encouraged Catholics to contact their elected officials and advocate for a halt in executions.

There are very practical ways for Catholics to advocate for a halt in executions. In the case of Michael Taylor, and other inmates facing imminent execution, the bishops submit a clemency application to the governor of the state requesting that mercy be shown to the inmate. Catholics can join their voices with the bishops and also contact the governor’s office and ask that the execution not take place.

There are also several bills pending in the Missouri legislature that would halt executions in our state. HB 1496 sponsored by Rep. Bill Deeken (R-Jefferson City) and SB 827, sponsored by Sen. Patrick Dougherty (D-St. Louis) would impose a three year moratorium on executions while a study of death penalty practices is conducted in the state. HB 1792 sponsored by Rep. Rodney Hubbard (D-St. Louis) and SB 715 sponsored by Sen. Joan Bray (D-St. Louis County) would abolish the death penalty entirely. It is important that Catholics contact these sponsors and thank them for their leadership on ending the death penalty. Catholics should also contact their representative and senator and urge them to support these bills when they come up for debate.

All of these activities are very much in line with the Catholic Campaign to End the Use of the Death Penalty initiated last year by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Many Catholics have reconsidered their position on the death penalty. In past polls, Catholic support mirrored that of the American public at close to 70%. In a poll conducted by Zogby International in December 2004, less than half (48%) of Catholics interviewed expressed support for the use of the death penalty. An overwhelming percentage of Catholics (79%) believe that opposition to the death penalty is “consistent with the defense of human life.”

“This pastoral letter is very timely,” notes Rita Linhardt, who works on death penalty issues for the Missouri Catholic Conference. “The recent court interventions have focused attention on the inhumaneness of executions. As Catholics who believe in the sacredness of life, the use of state-sanctioned killing in our names diminishes us all.”

Linhardt encourages all Catholics to reflect on the pastoral letter and put their faith into action by becoming involved in abolition efforts. For more information on how you can become involved in abolition activities, contact the Missouri Catholic Conference at mocatholic@mocatholic.org.