Since 2003, the World Day against the Death Penalty has been celebrated on October 10 to unite the global abolitionist movement and mobilize all actors in society to eliminate capital punishment.
The death penalty is a punishment that consists of causing the death of a person, condemned by the State, for having committed a crime established by law. Although the execution of criminals and political dissidents has been applied in many societies throughout history, for centuries there has been an abolitionist movement fighting to ban it and stop using it as a legal resource of the State. As a result, the current global trend is to abandon this punishment, and more than 160 UN member states have abolished it or do not apply it.
However, there are still 55 countries in the world where it continues to be used. In 2023, Amnesty International counted 1153 executions and almost 2,500 new death sentences.
The principles of Catholic doctrine have evolved over the centuries around this question. Within it, different positions took place that gave rise to very interesting anthropological and philosophical debates around the dignity of the person, the common good, punishability and redemption. However, since 2018 Pope Francis marked a very clear direction by establishing capital punishment as inadmissible, modifying the wording of number 2.267 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Therefore, we join in protesting for the abolition of capital punishment, because it violates the inviolability and dignity of the person. As an irreversible punishment, there is always the risk of executing innocent people and the hope of redemption and reconciliation with the community is denied.
Moreover, as the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty and Amnesty Internationalpoint out, it is a punishment that is used in biased justice systems and is applied in a discriminatory manner. These two organizations also collect evidence that it does not work as a deterrent against crime: it has not been proven to be more effective than life imprisonment. This aspect has been highlighted on World Day Against the Death Penalty in 2024, which is dedicated to challenging the misconception that this punishment can bring security to individuals and communities.
For all these reasons, today we share a prayer with which to add our grain of sand to the change for the abolition of the death penalty:
Merciful Father, we ask your blessing on all that we do to build a culture of life. Hear our prayers for those affected by the death penalty.
We pray for all people, that their life and dignity as children of a loving God may be respected and protected in all stages and circumstances.
We pray for the victims of violence and their families, that they may experience our love and support, and find comfort in your compassion and the promise of eternal life.
We pray for those condemned to death, that their lives may be spared, that the innocent may be set free, and that the guilty may acknowledge their faults and seek reconciliation with you.
We pray for the families of those facing execution, that they may be comforted by your love and compassion.
We pray for civic leaders to commit to respect every human life and end the use of the death penalty in the world.
Compassionate Father, give us wisdom and hearts filled with your love. Guide us as we work to end the use of the death penalty and build a society that truly chooses life in all situations.
We ask this through your Son Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.