A Prayer to Abolish the Death Penalty
by Helen Prejean, csj

God of Compassion, you let your rain fall on the just and the unjust.
Expand and deepen our hearts
so that we may love as you love,
even those among us
who have caused the greatest pain by taking life.
For there is in our land. a great cry for vengeance
as we fill up death rows and kill the killers
in the name of justice, in the name of peace.
Jesus, our Brother,
you suffered execution at the hands of the state
but you did not let hatred overcome you.
Help us to reach out to victims of violence
so that our enduring love may help them heal.
Holy Spirit of God,
You strengthen us in the struggle far justice.
Help us to work tirelessly
for the abolition of state-sanctioned death
and to renew our society in its very heart
so that violence will be no more
Amen

Contact your representative

Sample Letter to Legislators

Dear Legislator,

As a concerned Texan, I am writing to express my support for a moratorium on executions. Executions are incompatible with the example of Jesus who taught forgiveness, mercy and reverence for life. While my heart goes out to the victims of crime, their families and friends, I am convinced that the taking of human life by the state is wrong. Every human life has inherent dignity given by God. Only God has the right to take human life.

I also favor a moratorium because I am aware that the criminal justice system is flawed and biased. Innocent people have been sentenced to death in the state and some may have been executed. I am also aware that the death penalty is not a deterrent to crime and that society can be protected by long-term incarceration of dangerous criminals. This is a less costly punishment for crime, both morally and financially.

Finally, I am concerned that the death penalty contributes to a culture of violence in our state and promotes vengeance ... all in the name of justice.

I ask that you support a moratorium on executions in the state of Texas.

Sincerely,

For more information contact:

Susan Stromatt
Secretariat for Social Concerns
2403 Holcombe Blvd. Houston, TX 77021
713-741-8768
e-mail: sstromat@diocese-gal-hou.org

"A consistent ethic of life suggests that the death penalty is not an appropriate response to crime in our society. We believe human life is so precious that the state should not take the life of any person, even one who has taken another life. Each of us bears a responsibility to foster an attitude in a broader society which affirms human life and rejects vengeance as a means of promoting justice. "

Cardinal Joseph Bernadin, Sept., 1989

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