Life and Dignity of the Human Person
Created in God’s image, humans have inherent dignity and worth. This belief of the Catholic Church lays the foundation for all other teachings. The Sisters of St. Agnes and their Associates honor the sacredness of human life from conception to natural death. During the Cold War the Sisters supported human life by opposing the use of nuclear weapons; they declared their property to be a nuclear free zone. After 9-11 the Sisters formulated a public stance on peace and nonviolence as a guide for personal and communal actions. In the last decade they adopted corporate stances against the death penalty (2006) and human trafficking (2007). These actions demonstrate the Sisters’ reverence for life and their commitment to a consistent ethic of life.
Death Penalty Resources
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Facts About the Death Penalty (source: Death Penalty Information Center)
States With and Without the Death Penalty (source: Death Penalty Information Center)
Catholic Social Teaching and The Death Penalty (source: Catholic Mobilizing Network)
The memoir "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson tells his story as a lawyer struggling for justice in an unjust system.
Read the full New York Times Book Review.
Sisters and Associates may borrow a copy of the book from the JPIC library at the motherhouse.
In a video message sent to an international anti-death penalty group on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, Pope Francis encouraged them in their work and deliberations. The video below shows the message in its original Spanish; English translation and commentary was made available by the Catholic News Agency.
Resources for those looking to write to prisoners on death row:
Death Penalty Information Center - Upcoming Executions
Write a Prisoner - Inmate Locator
Sister Ruth Battaglia, CSA
Justice Coordinator
320 County Road K
Phone: (920) 907-2315
Fax: (920) 921-8177
Based on individual Department of Corrections state websites, the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Ministry produces a list of names and addresses of inmates to be executed every month. Members of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee (JPIC) write them a letter and pray for them, their victims and their families. On the day of their execution, a candle is lit and their name is mentioned in the liturgy.
