Death penalty

Catholic opponents of the death penalty, including Oklahoma City's archbishop, praised the Nov. 18 announcement that Gov. Kevin Stitt granted Julius Jones clemency — just hours before he was scheduled to be executed.

Bishops have every right to challenge Catholic politicians on abortion. Deploying Communion as a bludgeon to selectively sanction elected officials on a single issue is not the answer. 

While standing outside the prison that housed Virginia's execution chamber, Gov. Ralph Northam signed legislation abolishing the death penalty in the state March 24.

The Supreme Court's March 22 announcement that it would hear a government appeal to reinstate the death penalty for Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev brings the death penalty issue in front of the Biden administration.

The Virginia General Assembly passed a final version of a bill that will abolish the death penalty in the state Feb. 22. There is expected to be a public signing ceremony with Gov. Ralph Northam in April. Legislation that would expand abortion coverage in Virginia's health exchange also is likely to be signed by Northam, who supports legal abortion.

Both the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate have now passed bills that would abolish the death penalty in the state. Democratic Governor Ralph Northam has stated his support, making it highly likely that Virginia will become the first Southern state to outlaw capital punishment.

Although the Supreme Court cleared the way for the execution of Dustin Higgs Jan. 15, two justices made their objections known loud and clear in dissents that called into question the speed of these decisions and even the constitutionality of capital punishment.

Distinctly Catholic's roundup of political news and commentary: Lisa Montgomery's execution was judicial murder; Biden team's efforts for 2022 midterms; impeachment may be insufficient; workers fight back