Bishop addresses death penalty bill

Published: February 25, 2025

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor issued the following letter to Catholics in Arkansas, Feb. 25, 2025, regarding a death penalty bill being debated by the Arkansas General Assembly.

En Español

"Arkansas lawmakers are currently considering a bill that would enable our state to execute people with nitrogen gas. Adding another method of carrying out the death penalty equates with a desire to kill people who are already incarcerated and no longer pose a threat to society. This is unnecessary and contrary to our faith.

"The Catechism of the Catholic Church gives us an explanation of the Church’s teaching on capital punishment and sets this teaching in the context of the third millennium.

'Recourse to the death penalty on the part of legitimate authority, following a fair trial, was long considered an appropriate response to the gravity of certain crimes and an acceptable, albeit extreme, means of safeguarding the common good. 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 on the inviolability and dignity of the person,' and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide.' (no. 2267)

"With this teaching in mind, I am urging our legislators to reject House Bill 1489, which would allow executions with nitrogen gas. For many years, the Diocese of Little Rock has vigorously opposed capital punishment, especially during the execution spree of 2017, when four men were put to death.

"It is my hope that, by bringing this to your attention, you will reflect on the inherent dignity of every human person from the moment of conception until natural death, and in every circumstance throughout the lifespan. Let us maintain our profound respect for human life, even in the face of serious crimes. Let us be advocates for abolishing the death penalty.

"Despite the claim that ‘justice is served’ by executing people who themselves have not valued human life, state-sponsored killing perpetuates the cycle of violence. True peace, justice and closure cannot be obtained by killing. Furthermore, as Christians we hope to save souls, to literally change the world through love and to never deny the possibility of redemption, especially for those who have most need of God’s mercy.

"Our faith compels us to seek alternatives to the death penalty and challenges us to build a more compassionate society. There is a tremendous need for outreach and better resources devoted to healing and recovery from the terrible pain and grief caused by horrific crimes. Rather than expanding our state’s means of putting people to death, we need to increase real support for those harmed by violent crime and to promote a restorative justice system that will foster safer communities.”

+Anthony B. Taylor
Bishop of Little Rock

For more information on how to contact state legislators, visit https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Legislators/List.