2012-2016 Peacemaking Initiative: We the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio, will focus both personally and communally, on study, reflection and action regarding the Franciscan call to peacemaking, care for the Earth and concern for the poor, in light of our Franciscan values.

Sylvania Franciscan Corporate Stance – Adopted November 2000: In the spirit of Jubilee Justice, with the hope fostered at the beginning of this new millennium, and because we believe in the sanctity of all life, from its conception to its natural end, we, the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio, and our Associates, support Moratorium 2000, calling for a moratorium on executions in the United States.

Sylvania Franciscan Corporate Stance – Adopted November 1995: We will work to abolish the death penalty in our country and promote the sanctity of life on all levels. We stand with all victims of crime and offer our prayer and support.

The Sisters of St. Francis oppose the death penalty. Because we believe that each person is made in God’s image and likeness, we oppose the use of capital punishment as a means to punish persons for their crimes. We believe it is inconsistent with the Gospel message of love and healing and is contrary to our Franciscan value of reverence for all creation. Such structured violence works to cheapen life and escalate violence.

Exonerations:

Since 1973, more than 180 people have been released from death row with evidence of their innocence. (Staff Report, House Judiciary Subcommittee on Civil & Constitutional Rights, 1993, with updates by DPIC).
• An average of 3.94 wrongly convicted death-row prisoners have been exonerated each year since 1973.