Death Penalty | ReligionLink

Executions up, death sentences down

Two reports in early January highlighted the ongoing tumult in the national debate over the death penalty. A story in The New York Times looked at a prominent legal group’s decision to end its support for capital punishment. And the annual survey from the Death Penalty Information Center presented a mixed picture.

Death penalty debate: Morality and pragmatism

Americans seem to accept the death penalty as a fact of life, as polls show a steady 2-1 majority favor keeping capital punishment on the books. Yet that consistency can mask a simmering national debate about the efficacy, morality and even legitimacy of the death penalty.

Death penalty: Catholic bishops leading new push for change

U.S. Catholic bishops say they want to “seize a new moment and new momentum” in their 25-year campaign against capital punishment. They’re set to approve a new statement urging an end to the death penalty at their Nov. 14-17 meeting at a time when advocates on both sides of the issue say that opinions are [...]