California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Wednesday will impose an indefinite moratorium on carrying out the death penalty, arguing that the cost, finality and racial imbalance among death-row inmates make the punishment immoral and a public policy “failure,” according to planned remarks released by his office.
Newsom will suspend the practice through an executive order that will give a reprieve from execution — though not release — to California’s 737 death row inmates, about a quarter of the nation’s population awaiting capital punishment. The order will also annul California’s lethal injection protocol and close the execution chamber at San Quentin State Prison, where the state’s most notorious criminals have been put to death.
Newsom, who took office in January after serving eight years as the state’s lieutenant governor, has long opposed the death penalty. He is Catholic, and his faith has sometimes guided his policy decisions, including his long-standing opposition to capital punishment.
He also has gone against the Catholic Church on other policy matters, most notably as a champion of same-sex marriage as San Francisco’s mayor and through his time in state office.
Full story at The Washington Post.
I think our governor did the right thing in this situation. That said, he imposed a death-sentence moratorium only for convicted killers; not for pre-born babies, babies who survive attempted abortions and some adults being euthanized. Let us pray that his understanding of the value of life be vastly expanded to include those from conception until natural death.
Good job, Governor!
Although recent popes and bishops have expressed opposition to capital punishment– Gov. Newsom is no more “Catholic” than Gov. Cuomo! Besides opposing capital punishment— he also should strongly oppose abortion– the slaughter of unborn children.
The Church allows for both the traditional teaching on capital punishment, as stated in the Catechism– and the modern teaching on capital punished, as clearly stated by Pope St. John Paul II. But the modern teaching is favored, as right for today’s civilization.
Are we truly a “higher civilization??” A truly high civilization — is made up of very good citizens, who are clean-cut, self-sacrificing, morally strong, hard-working, God-fearing, caring of others, protective of children, women, the elderly, and the poor, weak, sick, and handicapped! They are not permissive, and are tough on SIN!! At least keeping the Death Penalty on the books– might scare very hardened, violent criminals! Our society is truly at risk of great evils, since the Church is so weak in today’s world! The answer? A very strong Church will lessen crime everywhere!
Gov. Newsom also ought to insist on proper legislation to permanently outlaw lethal injections prescribed by doctors, for doctor-assisted suicide (euthanasia).
Can the next Governor reverse these actions? In my opinion, they need to be permanent.
The Democratic party does not want to give the death penalty to criminals that put the lives of everyone else at risk. They want to give the death penalty to babies that have not been convicted of any crimes. There is finality involved in killing babies and a racial imbalance as well. Somehow that only matters with convicted criminals and not babies. Why are convicted criminals more favored by Democrats than babies?
“racial imbalance among death-row inmates make the punishment immoral. . . .” — Gavin Newsom
99% of those executed in the US are men. Immoral? SAVE THE MALES !
Hoc ergo proctor proter hoc doesn’t work here either. Please separate the issues when we talk about things. The Governor ended the death penalty while he is in office. That is a good thing and in line with the teaching of the Church. In addition, there are so many that have been found innocent years after the sentencing that it is even more immoral to use the penalty now. Abortion is another issue in which the Governor seems to not agree with the teachings of the Church. Let’s treat that separately.
This is a good thing. Let’s not punish him for it.
I agree with governor Newsom on this issue
While I appreciate the consistency of what being pro life is as government policy or law it is impossible to be consistent because man is not always such
What is the racial or ethnic makeup of the executed males? That is the point
Gee, that’s nice. Now about all those innocent babies…
history repeats
governor Grievous Nuisance
chooses Barabbas
Governor Newsom is promoting his Cultural Marxist ideology, and the Catholic Church with him. If you are elderly and own an expensive home in California do not get admitted to our hospitals – Euthanasia. If you are a baby with any malformation avoid postpartum abortion.