The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA applauds President Biden’s action to commute the death sentences of 37 people on federal death row.
For decades, NCC has been on the record opposing the death penalty. It disproportionately affects people of color and those of lower wealth status, does not serve as a deterrent, eliminates the possibility of redemption, and makes impossible any rectification of errors in judgement. State sanctioned killing contributes to the brutalization of society and violates the dignity of people who are created in the image of God.
NCC recently led a letter from faith groups to President Biden calling on him to commute federal death sentences. The letter, sent to the White House on Friday December 20, appealed to both Biden’s 2020 campaign promise to end the death penalty as well as his faith as a devout Catholic. In addition, NCC has joined similar letters from civil society groups calling for commutation.
NCC stands ready to work with the incoming administration and Congress to end the death penalty.
LINK TO LETTER TO WHITE HOUSE: https://nationalcouncilofchurches.us/icjcletter1224/
LINK TO 1968 STATEMENT https://nationalcouncilofchurches.us/common-witness-ncc/abolition-of-the-death-penalty/