Statement of Archbishop Gomez on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Imposition of a Moratorium on the Death Penalty in California
March 13, 2019
For many years now, my brother Catholic bishops and I have been calling for an end to the death penalty, not only in California but throughout the United States. So this is a good day for California and a good day for our country.
There are important public policy reasons for ending the death penalty. But the most important reasons for ending the death penalty are moral.
Every human life is precious and sacred in the eyes of God and every person has a dignity that comes from God. This is true for the innocent and it is true for the guilty. It is true even for those who commit grave evil and are convicted of the most cruel and violent crimes.
So, ending the death penalty is a step forward. But it is only a first step.
We need to continue to address the inequities in our criminal justice system, to improve conditions in our prisons, and to provide alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent crimes. We need to keep looking for new ways to rehabilitate offenders so they can be restored to society and lead productive and dignified lives. Much more needs to be done in California to address social conditions that give rise to crime and violence in our communities.
Today, it is also important to remember the victims of violent crime and their loved ones. We entrust them to the Father of mercies and commit ourselves to helping them to find healing and peace. We should also give thanks for the sacrifice and commitment of police and law enforcement officials who put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe.
As Christians, we are called to proclaim the Gospel of life.
Full story at Angelus News.
See also:
In California we need the Death penalty to inform the others. It prevents crime. The Catholic Church has always had the death penalty. This is one more example of cozying up to the late term infanticides and eugenics of the new Cultural Marxism flowing though the Latin American Liberation Theology liberal Pope Francis inflicted upon the Church. Resist we must, if we do not want to become like Mexico where life is cheap.
Praising one who spares criminals but condemns the innocent unborn . . . there is something gravely wrong here.
Will result in more crime; pain and suffering.
“But the most important reasons for ending the death penalty are moral.” – Archbishop José H. Gomez
What does that mean? The Church has never taught that the death penalty was intrinsically evil. It can be applied immorally, of course, but that is a different issue.
Let’s deal with data folks. There is no data that suggests that the death penalty prevents or discourages crime. Just look at the number of people on death row. Also, look at the number of people on death row that are found innocent because of DNA tests and new evidence that was hidden by crooked prosecutors. The Church tells us that there are circumstances when the death penalty is appropriate, but they are few and far between. Most civilized nations don’t allow it.
“A good day for California”, unless you are an unborn child. No moratorium for the death penalty known as abortion. No mandatory appeal, no 20 year wait, no governor to issue clemency, the sentence is carried out immediately. What reason is there for Archbishop Gomez to call it a good day for California when today hundreds of children made in the image of God will be torn apart and killed? I thought the Constitution had protections against “cruel & unusual punishment”.
Democrats in total control of the state gave us Late term abortion for babies, “Medical” Euthanasia for the elderly, Illegal Alien invasions, and homosexual,and transsexual marriage. I find no reason for Archbishop Gomez to celebrate Gov. Newsom, our latest enemy.
Now that these horrible criminals know they won’t be put to death, they won’t find a pressing need to repent. Perhaps when they are old and grey and dying in prison they will consider their eternal fate, but having escaped their destiny once, they likely hold out hope that hell won’t happen to them either.
Not doing them a favor Gavin.
Bad day for the Rule of Law; wondrous day for Rule by Decree. Makes a Gomez feel right at home — back home, that is.
Abp. Gomez praises Gov. Newsom’s moratium on tje death penalty. Yet, rema9ns silent regarding naming Gov. Newsom specifically as a vehement Pro Abortion politician!
The Executed don’t recidivate.