California's bishops support Propositions 34 and 35 facing voters on November ballot

The California Catholic Conference of Bishops issued a statement on Sept. 26 strongly supporting Proposition 34, the Death Penalty Repeal Initiative, which will be before the state’s voters on the November ballot.

“California voters have the opportunity to replace death with life by making a change in the law replacing the death penalty with a life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole,” the bishops said.

The statement outlines the bishops’ public policy objections to the use of capital punishment as well as their moral objections to the death penalty.

“As teachers of the Catholic faith, we consistently proclaim the intrinsic worth and the God-given dignity of all human life, whether innocent or guilty…We appeal to Californians to end a failed system of justice and choose life. Violence does not end violence. Killing in the name of the state will not end killing. The death penalty will not give us justice worthy of a good society. Respectfully, we call upon all Californians of good will to move toward a restorative justice that helps transform a culture of death into a culture of life.”

The bishops have also issued a statement of support of Proposition 35, which will both increase criminal penalties for human trafficking and direct fines to enhance victim services and law enforcement. The initiative is titled the Californians Against Sexual Exploitation Act.

Visit http://www.diocese-sacramento.org or www.cacatholic.org to read the full text of the bishops' statements on Propositions 34 and 35 and other election resources and materials.