March 5, 2025, Pastoral Statement
The Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops have consistently defended life from conception to natural death and remain deeply aware of the pain and grief that victims suffer, especially those who have lost a loved one through the crime of murder or crimes of violence. Upon the news of the restart of the process to execute human beings in Louisiana, the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops state:
We are saddened by the recent notice to restart the process for the issuance of death warrants to execute human beings in Louisiana. This only contributes to the culture of death. We promote a culture of life, not death, in this great State we love. As bishops, we will continue to promote life from conception to natural death and work to end the execution of another human being.
St. Pope John Paul II proclaims "that not even a murderer loses his personal dignity, as God himself pledges to guarantee this. For this reason, whoever attacks human life, in some way attacks God himself " (Evangelium Vitae, #9).“
Strong statements of Pope Francis echo the foundational principles laid out by Saint Pope John Paul II’s, Evangelium Vitae, that if the State can use non-lethal means to protect society, it should. In keeping with this teaching Pope Francis approved a revision to the Catechism of the Catholic Church # 2267 as follows:
“Today, however, there is an increasing awareness that the dignity of the person is not lost even after the commission of very serious crimes. In addition, a new understanding has emerged of the significance of penal sanctions imposed by the state. Lastly, more effective systems of detention have been developed, which ensure the due protection of citizens but, at the same time, do not definitively deprive the guilty of the possibility of redemption. Consequently, the Church teaches, in the light of the Gospel, that “the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person, and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide.”
As faithful citizens of this great state, we pray and understand the pain and suffering this has caused families and pray for the victims. As we continue to pray for the victims and their families, we pray that the State will not usher in a culture of death by facilitating death warrants and consider that mercy can be the highest form of justice. No method of execution is acceptable including nitrogen hypoxia (asphyxiation).
Most Rev. Gregory M. Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans
Most Rev. Michael G. Duca, Diocese of Baton Rouge
Most Rev. J. Douglas Deshotel, Diocese of Lafayette
Most Rev. Francis I. Malone, Diocese of Shreveport
Most Rev. Robert W. Marshall, Diocese of Alexandria
Most Rev. Glen John Provost, Diocese of Lake Charles
Very Rev. Simon Peter Engurait, Diocesan Administrator Houma-Thibodaux
