September 25, 2019
The Missouri Bishops issued a statement in response to the planned execution of Russel Bucklew on October 1 and the reinstatement of federal executions. The signing bishops of the statement are Archbishop Robert J. Carlson and Bishops James V. Johnston, Jr., W. Shawn McKnight, and Edward M. Rice.
In the statement, the bishops reiterated Pope Francis' call for a "global abolition of the death penalty" and noted the Catechism of the Catholic Church which states "the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person." The bishops reaffirm their opposition to the death penalty and call on people to take a stand for life, justice, healing and mercy by opposing the continued use of the death penalty.
