Statement by
Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Ph.D., D.D.
Chairman, Domestic Policy Committee
March 21, 2005
As Chairman of the Domestic Policy Committee which developed and approved this Campaign, I join Cardinal McCarrick, a member of our Committee and Chairman at the time the Campaign was approved, in support of efforts to end to the use of the death penalty.
Twenty five years ago, our bishops’ conference called for an end to the use of the death penalty. Much has happened since then, but the Catholic community has been consistent and persistent in our conviction that killing is not an answer to killing. Catholics have been at the forefront of efforts to end the use of the death penalty and today’s press conference will demonstrate the shift in attitudes of Catholics over the past 10 years. We believe this campaign can lead to the end of the use of the death penalty in our land. It will not come easily or quickly, but it can come with our prayerful and persistent efforts.