We, as members of the Marianist Family, because of our belief in the sanctity of all human life and in the dignity of all persons, pledge ourselves to prayer, education, reflection, and action to abolish the death penalty. The death penalty is unjust, inhumane and inconsistent with the Gospel message. We seek to change hearts and minds concerning this injustice. As a positive step, we promote restorative justice, a community-centered approach to justice which views crime as a violation of people and relationships, rather than simply a violation of law. Restorative Justice works to repair the harm caused when any offense is committed by focusing on the needs of the victims (including the community) and on the offender’s responsibility to repair harm, with the goal of fostering healing and restoring relationships.
Our Mission
Death Penalty Abolition and Restorative Justice Issue Team
Advocates for the abolition of the death penalty and the greater use of restorative justice processes.
The top photo shows several Team members in 2014 in Washington DC, during an annual in-person Team meeting. The bottom photo shows a Team member (on the right) holding a sign outside of the U.S. Supreme Court during the 2020 Fast and Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty; this event is held annually from June 29 to July 2.
The DP/RJ issue team published a discussion guide in January 2020 with the help of NACMS. The guide is designed to be used during a faith community meeting and is a great introduction to death penalty abolition and restorative justice practices! Find the guide for use here!
Death Penalty and Restorative Justice Discussion Guide
Circle Process Training
Collaboration with Catholic Mobilizing Network
Advocating for the Abolition of the Death Penalty Across the US
DEATH PENALTY AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE DISCUSSION GUIDE
In our home states, especially Ohio, Texas, Maryland, California, and Florida, we have worked and are working to abolish the death penalty. That dream became a reality for Maryland in 2013, when the death penalty was officially abolished in the state. We are still actively working in Ohio and Texas by supporting local groups (Ohioans to Stop Executions & Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty) with financial donations and support for their legislative action. After the pandemic is over, we will resume attending and supporting annual events that bring people together to highlight this issue on a national level including attending and supporting the Fast and Vigil in front of the Supreme Court in D.C. each summer (it was virtual for 2020) and working with Journey of Hope.
Advocating for the Abolition of the Death Penalty Across the US
Circle Process Training
Collaboration with Catholic Mobilizing Network
Advocating for the Abolition of the Death Penalty Across the US
DEATH PENALTY AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE DISCUSSION GUIDE
We have been working closely with Catholic Mobilizing Network, CMN, to be trained in restorative practices. Our issue team piloted their small group program titled Restorative Justice, Restorative Living and we are hoping to continue to engage Marianist communities and institutions with these restorative justice modules. If your community is interested in learning more about restorative justice, please reach out to us here so we can discuss using this program further!
Collaboration with Catholic Mobilizing Network
Circle Process Training
Collaboration with Catholic Mobilizing Network
Advocating for the Abolition of the Death Penalty Across the US
DEATH PENALTY AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE DISCUSSION GUIDE
Many members of this issue team have participated in a restorative justice training that introduced the circle process and a few have been formally trained as circle process facilitators. The circle process is a structured discussion process combining ancient wisdom and practices with our current complex multicultural societies. This process is meant to be used in difficult discussions and helps build understanding, strengths, safety, and authenticity within groups, even between those individuals who have been extremely hurt by the other. We support the use of restorative justice and circle processes in the criminal justice system, and also hope to see it used throughout communities for a variety of purposes. Our issue team continues to be trained in the circle process and hope to have more to offer directly to Marianists soon. If you are interested in learning more, please contact us. Catholic Mobilizing Network does have circle facilitator trainings throughout the year!
Circle Process Training
Circle Process Training
Collaboration with Catholic Mobilizing Network
Advocating for the Abolition of the Death Penalty Across the US
DEATH PENALTY AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE DISCUSSION GUIDE
• CMN Restorative Justice Restorative Living Small Group Module
• ALIVE Restorative Justice Article Reprinted with permission of ALIVE magazine, Spring 2020, Vol. 17, No.1, © copyright 2020.
• Reflection on The Little Book of Restorative Justice by DP/RJ Team Chair Mary Beaudoin
• Pope Francis declares “the death penalty is inadmissible”
• Ten Ways to Live Restoratively Reflection
• Transforming the Restorative Justice Journey by Bob Stoughton
• Catholic Mobilizing Network
• Ohioans To Stop Executions (OTSE)
• Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (TCADP)
• Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP)
• Journey of Hope – From Violence to Healing
• Annual Fast and Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty
• National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty
• Death Penalty Information Center
Resources
Articles & Reflections
Organizations
