As Catholics mark the World Day Against the Death Penalty, the Church again reminds us that every human being, no matter their crime, bears the indelible image of God. This truth stands at the center of ongoing efforts to end capital punishment worldwide.
Upholding the Dignity of Life
In a statement delivered at the 2025 Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, Msgr. Lucas Marabese, representing the Holy See to the OSCE, reaffirmed that “human dignity, given by God, is inviolable from conception until natural death.” He explained that even those guilty of grave crimes “do not lose their inherent dignity,” and that the death penalty, by its nature, “is an attack on the sacredness and dignity of the person” (Vatican News, Holy See renews calls for abolition of death penalty).
The Church’s position could not be clearer: justice must never come at the cost of mercy. Msgr. Marabese emphasized that societies can protect their citizens without taking lives, thanks to modern penal systems that allow for both safety and the possibility of redemption.
A Moral Reckoning in the United States
This conviction is echoed by Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, Executive Director of the Catholic Mobilizing Network, who spoke candidly about the challenges facing the U.S. “About half of the states in the United States have the death penalty, and about half have repealed it,” she said, describing a nation divided on the issue, according to Vatican News.
Murphy noted a troubling rise in executions across the country, even as October, Respect Life Month, calls Catholics to honor all human life “from conception to natural death.” She lamented that “we see an uptick in executions in this month of October—eight are scheduled. It’s a stark contrast to honoring all human life.”
Despite these setbacks, Murphy remains hopeful. She pointed to data showing that public support for capital punishment in the U.S. is now “at its lowest point since the 1970s,” and emphasized that “both sides of the aisle are starting to understand that this is a life issue.”
Courage and Conversion
The U.S. bishops, particularly in states like Florida and Texas where executions remain high, have responded with public appeals, prayer campaigns, and novenas for mercy. Their united witness underscores what Murphy called “the courage of the Bishops,” who continue to advocate for clemency and for an end to the cycle of vengeance.
Meanwhile, the Holy See continues to insist that the Gospel demands conversion, not condemnation. “Institutions entrusted with establishing criminal responsibility should diligently pursue the truth,” Msgr. Marabese reminded, “while ensuring that their proceedings are conducted in full respect for the dignity and rights of the human person.”
The Catholic Response
The Church’s stand against the death penalty is not merely political; it is profoundly theological. It flows from Christ Himself, who offered forgiveness to those who crucified Him. When we affirm the dignity of those on death row, we proclaim our belief in the power of grace to transform even the hardest of hearts.
As Msgr. Marabese concluded, the Holy See “will continue to press with determination for its abolition worldwide.” For Catholics, that means prayer, advocacy, and witness, each a small act of faith in a God who desires not the death of the sinner, but that all may live.
