---
title: 'RELIGIOUS VIEWS: Connecticut Archbishop Asks Parishoners to Protest the Death Penalty'
description: 'As Connecticut prepares to carry out its first execution in over 40 years, Catholic Archbishop Henry J. Mansell of Hartford called on local parishes to…'
canonical: 'https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/religious-views-connecticut-archbishop-asks-parishoners-to-protest-the-death-penalty'
section: news
date: '2005-01-07T19:12:00-05:00'
updated: '2025-03-14T14:23:46-04:00'
source: 'Death Penalty Information Center'
---

As Connecticut prepares to carry out its first execution in over 40 years, Catholic Archbishop Henry J. Mansell of Hartford called on local parishes to sign a Church petition that calls for an end to capital punishment. **"The death penalty offers the tragic illusion that we can defend life only by taking life,"** Mansell wrote in a letter that will be read during Masses on January 8 and 9. Other bishops in Connecticut are taking similar actions prior to the scheduled execution of Michael Ross on January 26.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has called for a complete rejection of the death penalty, in accordance with Catholic teaching to uphold the human dignity of all persons. Archbishop Mansell is part of a broad spectrum of religious leaders and groups seeking to halt executions in the state. Many of these leaders will hold a press conference publicly calling for the abolition of the death penalty on January 12 on the state Capitol steps. (Hartford Courant, January 6, 2005). See [Statements from Religious Organizations](/article.php?scid=18&did=216) and [New Voices.](/new-voices?did=482&scid=16)