Ending the death penalty: what can we do?

The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Congregation has taken a stand against the death penalty at the state and federal level. We stand for all life, not death.

Unfortunately, many states across the nation continue to execute inmates, including eight in Texas this year alone. And, sadly, earlier this year, the federal government announced it would move forward with federal executions. These occur in Terre Haute, Indiana, right in the backyard of our Congregation’s motherhouse at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty offers ways we can each help in the effort to end executions in the United States.

One suggestion is to take action by adding your voice to the many calling for an end to the death penalty. You can sign pledges or send letters to elected officials. You can join groups in your state or join the National Action Team.

When any state has a scheduled execution, we Sisters of Providence hold a prayer vigil for the convicted and the victims family. When federal executions resume in Terre Haute, during an execution we will join with others in a peaceful prayer vigil at the facility.

“Our community here in the Wabash Valley is at risk of much deeper harm and long-lasting effects from this violence,” Congregation Justice Promoter Sister Barbara Battista said. “We have an opportunity to lessen that harm by how we go about our work.”

(Originally published in the Winter 2020 issue of HOPE magazine.)