Death Penalty

We support Moratorium 2000, calling for a moratorium on executions in the United States.

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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.

Upcoming / Recent Executions:

Executions in 2019 : 22

Executions in 2018:  25

As of June 10, 2020, six inmates have been executed in the United States in 2020, five by lethal injection and one by electrocution. In addition, a total of seven death row inmates are currently scheduled to be executed in the remainder of the year.

Executions since the ban was lifted in 1976: 1,518, (517 Black, 129 Latino, 847 White, 25 other)

Sources for information: Death Penalty Information Center (www.deathpenaltyinfo.org). Numbers are accurate as of June 17, 2020.

“Just as Americans know little of who is executed and why, they are unaware of the potential dangers of executing an innocent man.”  

-Thurgood Marshall

Resources/Links

Declaration of Life

We encourage you to read the Declaration of Life and consider signing.

Sisters' Stories

Sister Marguerite Polcyn

Sister Marguerite Polcyn

A request was sent from the diocese, in 2014, for persons interested in ministering to the incarcerated at the Toledo Correction Institution (ToCI), a maximum level prison. Since I already have been volunteering at the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio since 2001, I did not hesitate to the invitation. After training, I joined the ToCI team of two priests, three deacons and another religious Sister. Why am I involved in jail and prison ministry? Possibly because I come from a family of police officers – they bring “them” in and I help “them” collect the pieces. Really, the offenders are the marginalized that our society would rather do without. I feel called and privileged to bring them God’s love and forgiveness in a nonjudgmental way through prayer and teaching.
Sister Carolyn Giera

Sister Carolyn Giera

Sr. Carolyn Giera keeps seventeen Sisters and one Associate apprised of the latest information and needs for advocacy regarding the death penalty. Ever since the Sisters of St. Francis took a corporate stance to end executions, she felt called to become an advocate, particularly in Ohio and Texas where many of our Sisters minister. Our Franciscan values and Catholic Social Teaching are at the heart of her efforts. She is inspired by Sr. Helen Prejean, encouraged by Pope Francis and the Ohio Bishops who have taken a stand against the death penalty and is bolstered by the progress being made throughout the country to bring the Gospel message of forgiveness, reconciliation and charity toward all to this complex moral issue.
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