We, as members of the Marianist Family, because of our belief in the sanctity of all human life and in the dignity of all persons, pledge ourselves to prayer, education, reflection, and action to abolish the death penalty. The death penalty is unjust, inhumane, and inconsistent with the Gospel message. We seek to change hearts and minds concerning this injustice. As a positive step, we promote restorative justice, a community-centered approach to justice which views crime as a violation of people and relationships, rather than simply a violation of law. Restorative Justice works to repair the harm caused when any offense is committed by focusing on the needs of the victims (including the community) and on the offender’s responsibility to repair harm, with the goal of fostering healing and restoring relationships.
Our Mission
Death Penalty Abolition and Restorative Justice Team
Advocates for the abolition of the death penalty and the greater use of restorative justice processes.
The top photo shows steam members during their 2024 Annual Meeting in Dayton, Ohio. The bottom photo shows a Team member (on the right) holding a sign outside of the U.S. Supreme Court during the annual Fast and Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty (2020).
The Death Penalty Abolition and Restorative Justice Team has published an educational discussion guide with the help of the North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS). The guide is designed to be used during a faith community meeting and is a great introduction to death penalty abolition and restorative justice practices!
Death Penalty and Restorative Justice Meeting Kit
Advocating for the Abolition of the Death Penalty Across the United States
DEATH PENALTY AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE Meeting Kit
Death Penalty Abolition and Restorative Justice Meeting Kit
Restorative Justice Training and Implementation
The Death Penalty Abolition and Restorative Justice Team is working to abolish the death penalty throughout the United States, especially states in which team members live. The team is actively working in Ohio and Texas by supporting local organizations, both with financial donations and support for their legislative action and programming. Additionally, the team collaborates with Death Penalty Action and Catholic Mobilizing Network, which both provide leadership within the broader Catholic and secular anti-death penalty movement. Finally, the Death Penalty Abolition and Restorative Justice Team continues to support and attend the annual Fast and Vigil to End the Death Penalty in front of the Supreme Court (and online) and other events that bring people together to highlight this issue on a national level, such as the Journey of Hope: from Violence to Healing.
Advocating for the Abolition of the Death Penalty
Advocating for the Abolition of the Death Penalty Across the United States
DEATH PENALTY AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE Meeting Kit
Restorative Justice Training and Implementation
Members of this team have participated in a restorative justice practice known as circle process, and several have been trained as circle keepers. Circle process is a structured form of dialogue that combines ancient wisdom and practices with the realities of our complex, multicultural society. It serves as a communication tool that fosters understanding, safety, authenticity, and healing within groups — even among individuals who have experienced deep hurt or conflict.
The Death Penalty Abolition and Restorative Justice Team supports the use of restorative justice and circle process within the criminal legal system and throughout communities in a variety of settings. The team hopes to engage the Marianist Family in circle process and restorative practices while continuing to sponsor individuals interested in becoming trained circle keepers.
Reach out through our Interest Form if you would like to learn more about participating in a circle or becoming trained.
Restorative Justice Training and Implementation
Restorative Justice Training and Implementation
Advocating for the Abolition of the Death Penalty Across the United States
DEATH PENALTY AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE Meeting Kit
• Justice Jottings Reflections from DP/RJ Team Members
• CMN Restorative Justice Restorative Living Small Group Modules
• A Marianist Prayer to Abolish the Death Penalty
• ALIVE Restorative Justice Article Reprinted with permission of ALIVE magazine, Spring 2020, Vol. 17, No.1, © copyright 2020.
• Pope Francis declares “the death penalty is inadmissible”
• Ten Ways to Live Restoratively Reflection
• Catholic Mobilizing Network
• Ohioans To Stop Executions (OTSE)
• Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (TCADP)
• Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP)
• Journey of Hope – From Violence to Healing
• Annual Fast and Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty
• Death Penalty Information Center
• Death Penalty Action
Resources
Articles & Reflections
Organizations
