WASHINGTON (January 29, 1998)--The Catholic bishops of the United States voiced opposition to executing Karla Faye Tucker, a Texas woman on death row, adding their voice to that of Pope John Paul II urging Texas Governor George W. Bush to show clemency.

The Bishops' position was voiced by Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Washington, who chairs the Bishops' Domestic Policy Committee. The committee speaks for the U.S. Bishops on internal U.S. affairs.

"Capital punishment diminishes all of us and contributes towards a brutal cycle of violence which is all too prevalent in our society," Bishop Skylstad said. "As we have said before, we believe in justice without vengeance. We are unconvinced that our society can teach that killing is wrong by killing those who kill."

"We urge Governor Bush to heed the calls of our Holy Father, our brother bishops and concerned citizens in Texas and to grant clemency in this case," Bishop Skylstad added.

Text of Bishop Skylstad's statement.

For media inquiries, e-mail us at commdept@usccb.org
Department of Communications | 3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington DC 20017-1194 | (202) 541-3000 © USCCB. All rights reserved.