Death Penalty Abolition, the Circle Process and Events

Death penalty has been used in United States of America since 1608. During its early years, even minor offenses can be executed for stealing grapes, killing chickens, and Indian trading.  What is worth noting is that this is a practice that has been inherited from European justice system which used to include punishment for marrying a Jew, stealing, cutting down a tree, robbing a rabbit warren, and wearing black face at night.

Over time, the questions of ethics of death penalty have been put forward and it became limited to more serious crimes.  Eventually, Britain abolished death penalty on November 8, 1965.  In 1983, the Protocol 6 to the European Convention banned the death penal­ty for all domes­tic offens­es.  In 2002, Protocol 13 abol­ished the death penal­ty in all circumstances in EU with its argument that it is a violation of the right to life and right to freedom from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment.

There are 27 states out of 50 in United States still use death penalty as part of its justice system including California, Pennsylvannia, Oregon and Ohio that halted their executions.  

Pope Leo XIV has affirmed the church’s teachings against death penalty in his interview on September 30, 2025.  The Pope highlighted the complexity of life issues and encouraged conversations among citizens and Catholics.  He reiterated the respect for all life which includes the immigrants and those in death row. He stated that 

"Somebody who says I'm against abortion but says I'm in favor of the death penalty is not really pro-life."

The Pro-Life movement by the Catholics in the United States of America is normally, if not always, focused on anti-abortion.  This is known to be abused as a political tool by candidates during elections.  Though pro-life supports protection of life, this movement does not traditionally mention or include the abolishment of death penalty, protection of migrants, and Care for Our Common Home that addresses climate crisis affecting millions of lives globally.  

A recent Community Cafe sponsored by Catholic Mobilizing Network on "Unsticking Sticky Situations: Navigating Tensions and Conflict in Circle Process"  on January 23 gave tips on how to have courageous and yet courteous approach on difficult topics through circle process.  The Circle Process (CP) may be used for Death Penalty or any divisive or sensitive topics that a group of people may want to have a conversation:

⭐️Be present and listen so others feel valued.
⭐️Honor time and share space equally. 
⭐️Speak from your experience, with the group in mind.
⭐️Stay curious—reflect, grow, and welcome new perspectives.
⭐️Refrain from fixing; enter with humility.
⭐️Share the learnings, not the stories—respect others’ identities.

This CP deserves a respect for the above guidelines. The answer does not have to be from the guardian but from the collective wisdom in the circle.  It is suggested for the CP to have a guardian who will ring the bell in heated conversation or when needed. Then, the guardian will invite all participants to wait for a minute to 2 minutes of silence instead of using the word “Stop”. After the pause, the guardian will invite all to go deeper by integrating the emotion into the next phase. A question may be asked by the guardian: What inner work helps me to be grounded? The participants are to be trusting and have the willingness to let go. The final stage is the acknowledgment of the points learned, heard, appreciated, and the commitments if there are any. 

There are 17 death row inmates scheduled for execution in 2026 in United States with Charles Thompson scheduled for execution in Texas on January 28, 2026.  The primary mode of execution for most states is lethal injection. Other alternative modes of execution are lethal gas and electrocution.  Idaho has firing squad and South Carolina has electrocution as primary mode of execution, different from other states.  Death row inmates schedule of execution: 

• Feb 10: Ronald Heath in Florida
• Feb 12: Kendrick Simpson in Oklahoma
• Mar 11: Cecric Ricks in Texas
• Apr 30: James Broadnax in Texas
• May 14: Edward Busby in Texas 
• May 20: Leroy McGill in Arizona 
• May 21: Tony Carruthers in Tennessee
• Jun 17: Gerald Hand in Ohio
• Jul 17: Cleveland Jackson in Ohio
• Jul 22: Danny Hill in Ohio
• Aug 13: Anthony Darrell Dugard Hines in Tennessee
  
• Aug 19: James D. O'Neal in Ohio
• Sep 30: Christa Pike in Tennesse
• Oct 21: Jerome Henderson in Ohio
• Nov 18: Melvin D. Bonnell Jr. in Ohio
• Dec 3: Gary Wayne Sutton in Tennessee

Pray, discern, and take actions on your role in the life of the death row inmates above.

 

For latest updates on executions refer to:  https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/executions/upcoming-executions

https://catholicsmobilizing.org/our-work/death-penalty/executions/

Support conversation on human rights and justice that can bring healing and ending terror and torture:
https://mcgrath.nd.edu/conferences/conversations-that-matter/death-penalty/

US Conference of Catholic Bishops on death penalty abolition

https://www.usccb.org/resources/churchs-anti-death-penalty-position

Upcoming Events:

Catholic Mobilizing Network’s Upcoming Webinars in https://catholicsmobilizing.org/events/

Conversations in Communion on January 28 3PM EST

Introduction to Restorative Justice Workshop on February 11 6PM EST

Conversations in Communion for Women Religious February 12 12NN ET - March 5 3PM ET

Bryan Stevenson at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth courtesy of Brite Divinity School’s Center for Theology and Justice, in collaboration with TCU’s Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice, presents The 2nd Annual Dream Justice Event on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 6:00pm CST.  Bryan Stevenson is a founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative. The event is free and open to the public. Register here.

The TCADP 2026 Annual Conference: Overcoming Legacies; Reimagining Justice will take place on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM in Houston, Texas at the United Way Community Resource Center (50 Waugh Dr, Houston, Texas 77007). Register today! 

Read More:

Texas Coalition Against Death Penalty

History of Death Penalty:  https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/resources/high-school/about-the-death-penalty/history-of-the-death-penalty

Death Penalty Stories worth Reading: https://people.smu.edu/rhalperi/2026/01/22/jan-22

Why abolish death penalthy in 21st century?
https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2023/04/hc-death-penalty-should-be-abolished-21st-century

Resource: The Circle Way: The Leader in Every Chair by Christina Baldwin and Ann Linnea

Religious Women Leading the Way on Laudato Si’ and Synodal Process

An invitation from Catholic Climate Covenant on their first webinar of 2026 on Monday, January 26th (12-1 p.m. ET).  Since 2006, the Catholic Climate Covenant has been helping the church in addressing the Cry of the Earth and Cry of the Poor.  They have been reaching out to people of faith and organizations particularly in United States in spreading the Catholic Social Teachings particularly highlighting the Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor.  This organization also collaborates with Laudato Si' Movement.

NOTE: We are monitoring the upcoming snow and ice approaching the mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States and praying that power outages will be few and far between. We will update all who have registered on Monday morning  if widespread power outages affect the webinar. 

Women Religious: Leading the Way on Laudato Si’ and the Synodal Process
Monday, January 26th (12-1 p.m. ET/11 a.m.-12 p.m. CT/10 a.m.-11 a.m. MT/9 a.m.-10 a.m. PT)

SAVE MY SEAT!
(The webinar recording will be shared with all who register.)

Panelists:

• Sr. Carol Zinn, SSJ, Executive Director, Leadership Conference of Women Religious  

• Sr. Bridget Bearrs, RSCJ, Associate Director for Transformative Justice, Leadership Conference of Women Religious 

• Sr. Ricca Dimalibot, CCVI, M.D., Assistant Congregational Leader and General Councilor for the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word 

• Kascha Sanor, Director of Social & Environmental Justice for the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph 

• Marianne Comfort, Interim Director of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Justice Team

A Peace at Work

The power of peace comes from love that endures not from hate that incites fear and chaos.  It is from compassion, and truth that only the wise can understand.  It is from understanding, collaboration, relationship and an openness to listen, courage to stand up for what is moral, and humility to be formed and be changed.  On the day of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we set a day to be reminded that non-violence activism rooted in love aims to dismantle hatred, racism, and domination is possible. 

Our world is challeged by the problems of this generation that has not yet learned to diplomatically listen to each other.  It is in the families, communities, and societies that we belong,   Our humanity is challenged to make way for what we want to value.  We are accountable to the kind of world that we are co-creating by our actions and inactions.  

Our hearts and minds are restless.  We cannot forget that we have the Holy Spirit within us.  God is reaching out to us in our silent moments as well us our chaos.  We can heed his power within us. God's power rooted in love, teaching us the compassion, the inclusivity, looking at what's possible.  The Spirit that empowers our hearts is beyond the fears and chaos caused by the few and the weak.   Through our faith, we let God work through us for the empoverished and the downtrodden.  God gave us the beatitudes.  God continues to give us hope that we are blessed amidst all the uncertainties in our world, etc.

Jesus Christ is a non-violent teacher.  God does not force us but continues to love us.   He wants us to look for the real treasure in our life and not what the "world" gives. Dr. Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Saint Francis, Mother Teresa and other peacemakers have something in common.  It is the love that transcends time, love that transcends self, love that cares after one’s neighbor, it is the love that comes from God.  

May you be blessed in being reminded that God who moved Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his time is present among the people of today, in all of us.

Jesus Christ said in John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." 

Matthew 28:20 and teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

Share your peace.  Share your love story.   

PRAYER FOR PEACE 
by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Most Gracious and all wise God; Before whose face the generations rise and fall; Thou in whom we live, and move, and have our being.  We thank thee [for?] all of thy good and gracious gifts, for life and for health; for food and for raiment; for the beauties of nature and the love of human nature. We come before thee painfully aware of our inadequacies and shortcomigs. We realize that we stand surrounded with the mountains of love and we deliberately dwell in the valley of hate. We stand amid the forces of truth and deliberately lie; We are forever offered the high road and yet we choose the lo to travel the low road. For these sins O God forgive. Break the spell of that which blinds our minds. Purify our hearts that we may see thee. O God in these turbulent day when fear and doubt are mounting high give us broad visions, penetrating eyes, and power of endurance. Help us to work with renewed vigor for a warless world, for a better distribution of wealth, and for a brotherhood that transcends race or color. In the name and spirit of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Read More:    

Peace Prayers by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Kings Prayers in King Institude
Prayer for Peace from Faith and Worship

Learn About Catholic Social Teachings in Houston

In Saint Anne Community in Houston, Rhonda Sepulveda, the Parish and Government Relations Coordinator of Catholic Charities will talk about the 7 Principles of Catholic Social Teachings.

Catholics are at the heart of mission and service.  We are incarnating what Jesus Christ taught us about love.  He showed us that he wanted to take care of us, and to heal our infirmities. He showed impartiality that we are to look after the vulnerable and make way for their needs.  Jesus Christ heals people in many ways, so that the blind can see, the captives can be freed, and the broken hearted be healed.

Refer to the invitation link here: Catholic Social Teaching and Faithful Citizenship

Location: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. 

Location: in the St. Christopher Room

Pledge and Enroll Your Parish and Organization into Laudato Si' Action Platform

A Message from Dr. Virginia Mata, Social Justice Director of San Antonio Archdiocese

Peace and blessings! I hope this message finds you well and filled with hope as we begin this New Year together. I want to remind you that our next Laudato Si Training will be on January 29 at 6:00 pm on Zoom. We are grateful that Archbishop Gustavo will be joining us for the opening prayer and to share a few words with us. I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to those parishes who already submitted their reflections and welcome the additional parishes that have registered with the archdiocese. I am happy to share that we have close to 65 parishes from our archdiocese participating in this global movement.

 

As we prepare, I want to gently encourage you to continue moving forward with the Laudato SI Action Platform process. As a reminder, the steps include:

1. Enroll your parish on the Laudato Si Action Platform  (please be sure to include your parish name and “San Antonio Archdiocese”)
2. Make a parish pledge. I’m sharing a three-minute video with a review of process, and I have also attached a Word doc with three ways you can do your parish pledge. Laudato Si December Update Enroll Pledge Reflect,
3. Submit a brief reflection (please be sure to include your parish name and location).
4.  Review Suggested Actions on the platform and start drafting your goals. This will be covered at our January meeting, but feel free to proceed if you are ready.

 

A very important step right now is to submit your parish reflection, so that you can be visible on the global Laudato Si map and to stand in solidarity with parishes around the world.

 

Thank you for your faithful witness, your openness, and your care for our common home. I look forward to being together (on Zoom below) on January 29 as we continue walking this path of love and faith in action and please reach out to me if you need assistance.

 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83948409313?pwd=svsh9t9C4ivwaIkFnZA72nTYCzZL7D.1

Meeting ID: 839 4840 9313
Passcode: 771995

One tap mobile
+13462487799,,83948409313#,,,,*771995# US (Houston)
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Join instructions
https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/83948409313/invitations?signature=XiPZxC47Jxfzm5GvmoCw23e3C1lYW8R71bpapKej2SQ

Below are Parts I & II of our Laudato Si Series.

Part I – Introduction to Laudato Si -Introduction to Laudato Si’ and the Laudato Si’ Action Platform

Part II – Building Relationships – Laudato Si’ Webinar Series Part II: Building Relationships

Part II December Follow up - Laudato Si December Update Enroll Pledge Reflect,

Laudato Si Parish Assessment

Laudato Si Goals English

Laudato Si Goals Spanish

I have also created and attached a Laudato Si Representative sample script that can be used for the one-on-one relational conversations and listening session. (The scripts are offered as guides ONLY to help you begin conversations within your parish).

 

Each parish can discern with your pastor’s approval how best to proceed, for example:

            -Parish Reps may meet with each ministry leader in the parish.

            -Others may hold a single listening session with all or several ministries,

            -And some may focus primarily on developing their goals with each ministry leader and/or pastor or parish councils.

 

While we encourage a synodal process—listening, discerning, and acting together—we understand this process will be different in each parish.  

Our next session, Part III will take place on Thursday Jan. 29^th at 6:00 pm on Zoom. Please make every effort to join us, as this session will provide hands-on guidance for developing and submitting your parish goals. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly. I am happy to walk with you and offer support as needed.