Catholic Mobilizing Network

On Tuesday, June 16, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine publicly declared, “I believe Ohio should abolish the death penalty” during a press conference.

Throughout his tenure, he has shown courageous leadership by not allowing any ex*****ons to take place in Ohio, which has the sixth largest death row population.

CMN’s executive director, Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, thanked the governor for his statement. She continued: “Returning death for death only perpetuates cycles of harm and violence. We as a people of faith are called to show mercy, to believe in the power of redemption, and to provide opportunities for all people to experience healing and wholeness.”

Read more about this story on OSV News: https://www.osvnews.com/as-dewine-announces-death-penalty-opposition-catholic-advocates-urge-further-action/

This Juneteenth, let us commemorate the end of slavery in the United States and celebrate every step made toward freedom from racial oppression in our country.

As we honor the lives and efforts of generations past, we recommit this day to the continued work of justice and healing. May we strive to eliminate racism in our systems and our hearts so that violence in all its forms, especially the death penalty, will be no more.

For, in the words of Fannie Lou Hamer, “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free”.

“We need to take victims seriously, and we need to try to address their hurt and the harm that has been caused and to try to bring pathways towards healing and maybe even create opportunities where forgiveness might be possible,” said Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy (CMN executive director) to Vatican News.

‘Violence begets more violence:’ US Catholics seek abolition of death penalty - Vatican News As the United States saw a sharp rise in ex*****ons of people on death row in 2025, the Executive Director of Catholic Mobilizing Network calls for US ...

Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, executive director of Catholic Mobilizing Network, responds to the Tuesday press conference held by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine on the death penalty:

"His call for the abolishment of capital punishment in Ohio is an encouraging sign and reflects growing recognition that the state can move toward a more just and life-affirming approach."

A Statement from Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy on Gov. Mike DeWine’s Press Conference on the Death Penalty. - Catholic Mobilizing Network Statement from Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, CMN executive director, on Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's press conference on the death penalty.

Jeffery Lee in Alabama was not executed tonight. Praise God!

On June 9, the federal courts ruled that Mr. Lee should be barred from being executed by nitrogen hypoxia because the method "presents a ​‘sub­stan­tial risk of seri­ous harm’ — severe pain over and above death itself", although no stay of ex*****on was granted.

The state then appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to allow them to go forward with executing Mr. Lee by nitrogen hypoxia. Tonight, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Mr. Lee.

While there is still no stay, we thank God that Jeffery will live another day. We continue to ask Gov. Ivey and the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles to support his clemency.

☀️ Last week, CMN welcomed our summer interns to the office! ☀️

These three young women are part of the Congregation of St. Joseph’s Internship in Leadership Through Ministry Program. Participants in this unique program gain hands-on work experience with CMN in addition to spiritual and leadership formation with the Congregation of St. Joseph. This includes one week of virtual orientation and weekly virtual training led by sisters of the Congregation of St. Joseph.

Mariela Allen-Cadet is a rising senior at Loyola University Maryland, pursuing a Data Science degree with a Peace and Justice minor.

Sarah Devine is a rising junior at Providence College, pursuing majors in Philosophy and Humanities with a minor in Political Science.

Annelise Demers is a rising senior at the University of Notre Dame, majoring in Global Affairs with minors in Civil and Human Rights, Theology and Energy Studies.

In March, CMN traveled with six U.S. bishops, as well as staff and consultors from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’s Subcommittee for the Promotion of Racial Justice and Reconciliation to Montgomery and Selma, Alabama. Together, the delegation explored the legacy of racism in the U.S. and how that shapes the criminal legal system today.

Listen to the reflection of some of the bishops that journeyed with us during the season of Lent!

Bishops' Lenten Experience in Selma and Montgomery Several bishops gathered in Alabama to visit sites of the Civil Rig...

Last night, the state of Florida took the life of Andrew Lukehart. Andrew was sentenced to death by a non-unanimous jury. In any other state, he would not have been sentenced to death.

We pray for all affected by this act of state-sanctioned violence:
- For the repose of the soul of his victim, Gabrielle Hanshaw. May she rest in peace.
- For the healing and comfort of those that love and remember Gabrielle.
- For the witnesses and prison staff. May their hearts be softened.
- For those that care for Andrew Lukehart and for his soul.

We call on the Blessed Mother of Sorrows, St. Maximilian Kolbe, and the Holy Guardian Angels to intercede for everyone affected by violent crime. May they be healed by the light of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opinion | The Botched Ex*****on of Tony Carruthers (Gift Article) Nothing prepared me to witness the agony that my client experienced in the ex*****on chamber.

📣 Three men are scheduled to be executed in the month of June.📣

Andrew Lukehart, Jeffrey Lee, and Dusty Ray Spencer were all sentenced to death by non-unnanimous juries. Take action now to ask decision makers in Florida and Alabama to save their lives.

Currently, the actions for Mr. Lukehart and Mr. Lee are live on our website. Mr. Spencer’s will be available once we have more information.

We need your help to advocate for mercy and to defend the dignity of life. Please lift your voice today to oppose all three ex*****ons.

✍️ TAKE ACTION TODAY: catholicsmobilizing.org/act-now