The Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops has consistently defended life from conception to natural death and remain deeply aware of the pain and grief that victims suffer, especially those who have lost a loved one through the crime of murder or crimes of violence.
We are saddened by the recent notice to restart the process for the issuance of death warrants to execute human beings in Louisiana. This only contributes to the culture of death. We promote a culture of life, not death, in this great State we love. As bishops, we will continue to promote life from conception to natural death and work to end the execution of another human being.
- Most Rev. Gregory M. Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans
- Most Rev. Michael G. Duca, Diocese of Baton Rouge
- Most Rev. J. Douglas Deshotels, Diocese of Lafayette
- Most Rev. Francis I. Malone, Diocese of Shreveport
- Most Rev. Robert W. Marshall, Diocese of Alexandria
- Most Rev. Glen John Provost, Diocese of Lake Charles
- Very Rev. Simon Peter Engurait, Diocesan Administrator Houma-Thibodaux
Saint Pope John Paul II proclaims "that not even a murderer loses his personal dignity, as God himself pledges to guarantee this. For this reason, whoever attacks human life, in some way attacks God himself" (Evangelium Vitae, #9).
Strong statements of Pope Francis echo the foundational principles laid out by Saint Pope John Paul II’s, Evangelium Vitae. In keeping with this teaching Pope Francis approved a revision to the Catechism of the Catholic Church # 2267 as follows:
“Today, however, there is an increasing awareness that the dignity of the person is not lost even after the commission of very serious crimes. In addition, a new understanding has emerged of the significance of penal sanctions imposed by the state. Lastly, more effective systems of detention have been developed, which ensure the due protection of citizens but, at the same time, do not definitively deprive the guilty of the possibility of redemption. Consequently, the Church teaches, in the light of the Gospel, that “the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack abolition worldwide.”
In the 2024 Regular Session, SB 430, which would remove nitrogen hypoxia (asphyxiation) passed the Senate but failed in the House. We remain steadfast in solidarity with our Jewish sisters and brothers. In testimony, we heard of major producers of nitrogen, refusing to give states this and the American Veterinary Medical Association having limited use of nitrogen in euthanasia protocols for animals.
As a faithful citizens of this great state, we ask that you not issue in a culture of death and consider that mercy can be the highest form of justice.
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