To: Governor Ralph Northam
Governor McAuliffe: Commute the death sentence of WILLIAM C. MORVA to life imprisonment.
Stop the execution of WILLIAM C. MORVA scheduled for 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 6.
Why is this important?
Social Action Linking Together (SALT), a faith-based advocacy group of more than 1200 members, is opposed to the death penalty primarily because it advances vengeance rather than justice.
SALT is in solidarity with Pope Francis on this matter of opposing the death penalty, and, in opposing the death penalty, we embrace the sound moral reasoning of Pope Francis, which you will find below.
In a message released in June 2016, Pope Francis made a statement regarding the death penalty that includes these comments:
1) “It (the death penalty) does not render justice to victims, but instead fosters vengeance.”
2) “It is an offense to the inviolability of life and to the dignity of the human person; it likewise contradicts God’s plan for individuals and society, and his merciful justice.”
3) “Punishment for its own sake, without room for hope, is a form of torture, not of punishment.”
4) Pope Francis also noted that rendering justice “does not mean seeking punishment for its own sake, but ensuring that the basic purpose of all punishment is the rehabilitation of the offender.”
5) Francis, in addition, made clear that the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” applies both for the innocent and to the guilty…”
SALT is in solidarity with Pope Francis on this matter of opposing the death penalty, and, in opposing the death penalty, we embrace the sound moral reasoning of Pope Francis, which you will find below.
In a message released in June 2016, Pope Francis made a statement regarding the death penalty that includes these comments:
1) “It (the death penalty) does not render justice to victims, but instead fosters vengeance.”
2) “It is an offense to the inviolability of life and to the dignity of the human person; it likewise contradicts God’s plan for individuals and society, and his merciful justice.”
3) “Punishment for its own sake, without room for hope, is a form of torture, not of punishment.”
4) Pope Francis also noted that rendering justice “does not mean seeking punishment for its own sake, but ensuring that the basic purpose of all punishment is the rehabilitation of the offender.”
5) Francis, in addition, made clear that the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” applies both for the innocent and to the guilty…”