Catholic leaders praised Colorado Gov. Jared Polis for signing a death penalty repeal bill into law March 23, making Colorado the 22nd state to abolish the death penalty.
"We thank Gov. Jared Polis for signing this historic piece of legislation, and we commend the many state senators and representatives who worked hard to make this important change to our state law," the Colorado Catholic Conference said in a March 23 statement.
The conference, the public policy arm of the state's Catholic bishops, said that for many years it has supported efforts to repeal the death penalty and it was "grateful for the determination and commitment it took for the state legislature to pass this bill."
Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, executive director of Catholic Mobilizing Network, the national Catholic organization working to end the death penalty said the state's action was a "critical step toward respecting the dignity of human life."
"Colorado joins the growing ranks of repeal states, affirming our nation's desire for more restorative responses to crime and harm and adding to the continued momentum toward death penalty abolition across the U.S.," she added in a March 23 statement.
She said her organization believes "that no matter the harm one has caused or suffered, each person ought to be treated with dignity and have the opportunity for redemption and healing. Today, Colorado makes that possible."
So, life in prison without the possibility of parole will now be the most severe punishment available to prosecutors of the most heinous crimes committed in Colorado.
Wonder what they think about that?
Wonder what those convicted think of that?
Wonder what the family members of those harmed think of that?
Grace & Peace & Love to you all -
Matt