Bishops seek 'no' vote on death penalty referendum

Maryangela Layman Roman reported in our Catholic Herald on the Wisconsin bishops' urging voting "no" in the November advisory referendum on the death penalty. The article links to resource list which then links to the Bishops' letter.

Besides Church teaching, the bishops cite other reasons for their opposition.

Also, Wisconsin has strengthened its sentencing practices in recent years. Increasingly, for first-degree intentional homicide, life means life.

Though the referendum doesn't, I'll ask if the death penalty wouldn't be appropriate for someone serving a "life means life" sentence who commits murder? Or for murdering someone who is serving such a sentence?

Mexico will not extradite fugitives from charges with a potential "life means life" sentence. It might help the "no" vote if our bishops and Mexico's are working to change this.

The resourse list also includes the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Presbyteral Council's resolution against the death penalty [pdf].