Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops Statement Opposing Resuming Executions in Our State.

Louisiana Catholic Bishops Oppose Culture of Death and Promote a Culture of Life 

The Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops have consistently defended life from conception to natural death and we remain deeply aware of the pain and grief that victims and families suffer, especially those who have lost a loved one through the crime of murder or crimes of violence.

As we continue to pray for the victims and their families, we pray that the State will not issue 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).

As a result of the recent efforts to restart the protocols for executions, the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops issued the following statement:

“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”.

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Rev. Gregory M. Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans

Most Rev. Michael G. Duca, Diocese of Baton Rouge

Most Rev. J. Douglas Deshotels, 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