CNA Staff, Dec 7, 2020 / 10:00 am
Leading U.S. bishops are imploring the Trump administration to stop scheduled federal executions during the season of Advent.
"This Advent, the Lord comes to love us even though we don't deserve it. Let us repent and embrace his gift," stated Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, chair of the U.S. bishops' domestic justice committee, and Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, chair of the bishops' pro-life committee, on Monday.
"We call on President Trump and Attorney General Barr, in recognition of God's unmerited gift of self-giving love: stop these executions," the two archbishops said.
The archbishops issued their statement after eight federal death row inmates have been executed so far in 2020, with Attorney General William Barr-a Catholic-having ordered the execution of two more in December and three more in January.