As of 2024, over two-thirds of the world’s nations have abolished the death penalty, with 145 countries either eliminating it in law or practice.
However, a marked increase in executions has been recorded, totaling 1,518—a number not seen since 2015.
Countries such as China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the United States contribute significantly to these figures.
The annual World Day Against the Death Penalty, observed on October 10, provides a platform to evaluate the strides made globally to end capital punishment.
Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, Executive Director of the Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN), highlighted the current landscape regarding the death penalty in the United States.
“We’re in the middle of the effort to end the death penalty, ” she said.
“About half of the states still have the death penalty, while half have abolished it.
Unfortunately, we are witnessing an increase in executions at this time.
Political rhetoric around this issue is complex, but we must emphasize the dignity of every human being, including those on death row.
Our commitment to this fight is unwavering, as the progress achieved has been hard-won, and we will continue our efforts to eradicate capital punishment in the U.S.
This October, even as the United States observes ‘Respect Life Month,’ an execution is set to take place in Indiana.
Vaillancourt Murphy noted, “In this month alone, eight executions are scheduled, which starkly contrasts with honoring human life.
This affront to human dignity cannot go unnoticed; while the Church grapples with many pressing issues, the fight against capital punishment remains crucial.
The Church’s stance against executions has been made clear, beginning with the bishops in Florida, a state that has witnessed the highest number of executions this year.
Vaillancourt Murphy pointed out a unified opposition among U.S. bishops towards executions.
Calls for clemency and commutations from church leaders demonstrate significant attention to this issue.
Reflecting on the progress in the last 15 to 20 years, she noted a significant reduction in annual executions—a victory seen not only in the United States but worldwide.
“American society is gradually becoming less tolerant of the death penalty, which is encouraging,” she stated.
While recognizing the recent uptick in executions, she remains optimistic that the overall trend continues in favor of abolition.
Supporting her optimism, a recent Gallup poll revealed that public support for the death penalty in the U.S. has hit its lowest point since the 1970s.
Despite the troubling rise in executions, Vaillancourt Murphy believes these fluctuations are part of the journey toward ultimately abolishing the death penalty.
She attributed the current challenges to the forceful rhetoric stemming from the Trump administration, known for advocating for federal death sentences and executions during its last term.
However, she acknowledged a favorable trend for abolitionists as there has been a rise in both commutations and exonerations, which offers hope.
Recognizing the difficulties, Vaillancourt Murphy expressed, “This is a challenging moment for the United States, but it’s also a moment of reckoning.
The public must clearly voice its desire to end the death penalty.
Courage is evident when one realizes that the death penalty is no longer a partisan issue; both sides of the political spectrum are beginning to view this as a fundamental life issue that deserves attention.
It’s no longer confined to just one party.
On the subject of increased executions, she called attention to the courageous actions of the Florida bishops, who initiated a novena in response to the upcoming executions.
This call to action underscores the urgency and importance of the fight against the death penalty as the number of executions continues to rise, even during a month dedicated to respecting and valuing all human life.
image source from：vaticannews
