Overview
Religious denominations in the U.S. have frequently made statements about the death penalty, sometimes pointing out concerns about its application, and other times judging the morality of the punishment itself. Historically, most major religious bodies allowed for the use of capital punishment, but criticism of the practice has greatly increased in recent times.
At Issue
In a diverse democracy, no single religious point of view occupies a privileged position in the framing of law. Nevertheless, the principles of various communities of faith are relevant in the political debate because they help inform the views of their respective constituents and reflect the “evolving standards of decency” that are vital to the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Eighth Amendment.
What DPIC Offers
DPIC provides a compilation of statements about the death penalty from a broad array of religious denominations. DPIC occasionally highlights the views of those speaking from a faith perspective when the comments relate to a case or controversy involving capital punishment. Finally, it features the results of death penalty polls when broken down by particular faiths.
News & Developments
News
Oct 02, 2025
Pope Leo XIV Calls Support for the Death Penalty ‘Not Really Pro-Life’
In comments to reporters on September 30, 2025, Pope Leo XIV said that supporting capital punishment was inconsistent with being pro-life. The Pope was responding to questions about Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich’s plan to honor Senator Dick Durbin for his work on immigrant human rights issues. The announcement drew criticism from several American bishops who objected based on Sen. Durbin’s support for legalized abortion. “Someone who says,‘I’m against abortion’ but…
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Sep 22, 2025
Victims’ Families in Kirk and Berry Cases Cite Religious Reasons for Opposition to the Death Penalty
Murder victims’ family members hold a wide range of views about what justice means. For some, the death penalty holds the promise of closure, while for others, it is a source of continued trauma and uncertainty. In two recent cases, victims’ family members have publicly expressed their opposition to the death penalty, citing their religious views and need to forgive. Will Berry was just 11 years old when Geoffrey West shot and killed his mother, Margaret Parrish…
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Sep 15, 2025
San Francisco Opera Set to Perform 25th Anniversary of “Dead Man Walking” in Partnership with Sister Helen Prejean
From September 14 – 28, 2025, the San Francisco Opera will present a special 25th anniversary production of the opera Dead Man Walking, which premiered in 2000. The opera, composed by San Francisco-based Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally, is based on Sister Helen Prejean’s journey as a pen pal and spiritual advisor to a death-sentenced prisoner at Louisiana’s Angola State Prison. Originally commissioned by San Francisco Opera, Dead Man Walking has been performed more than…
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Jul 28, 2025
Facts About the Death Penalty – Do All Religions Support the Death Penalty?
Religious belief has always been at the center of debate about the death penalty – cited both in support and in opposition. The often-cited“eye for an eye” Biblical phrase has led many to assume that religious belief requires support for the death penalty. But a closer look tells a different story. Fact: The Majority of Judeo-Christian Religious Organizations Oppose the Death Penalty While it is true that people who identify as Atheists and Agnostics tend to be less in…
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Jul 08, 2025
ACLU Report Shows How Death Penalty Jury Selection Discriminates Against Black Americans, Women, and People of Faith
A new report from the ACLU documents how the process of selecting juries for death penalty cases systematically excludes Black prospective jurors, women, and people of faith, fundamentally undermining the constitutional promise of a trial by a jury of one’s peers. The report, Fatal Flaws: Revealing the Racial and Religious Gerrymandering of the Capital Jury, examines the practice of“death qualification,” a requirement that potential jurors must be…
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