Congregation statement on ACLU lawsuit

The Sisters of Providence support the life and respect the dignity of all persons as we seek an end to the death penalty in our nation.

We join with the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, Death Penalty Action, Indiana Abolition Coalition and other organizations and individuals in filing a lawsuit to protect our First Amendment Rights that allow us to peacefully protest outside the main entrance of the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, and to hold prayer vigils in sight of the death house.

The Indiana State Police erected barriers that forced us almost two miles away from the prison entrance, thus compromising our ability to express our opposition to capital punishment.

We will continue to pray for death row inmates and their families, for all victims and their families, and for legislators, who hold in their hands the life or death of these inmates.

We will hold future vigils during the executions planned for August and September and we strongly urge the U.S. District Court of Southern Indiana to enter a preliminary injunction to allow us to stand outside the main entrance of the prison, upholding our beliefs in the dignity and sacredness of all life.