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Cardinal George issues statement about death penalty moratorium The text of Cardinal George’s statement on Gov. Ryan’s death penalty moratorium, released Feb. 1: I am very grateful for the decision by Governor Ryan to impose a moratorium on Illinois’ death penalty. His decision is courageous. He is the first governor of the 38 states with capital punishment to halt all executions until the procedures of the death penalty are reviewed. Justice is not being served when 13 people who were previously on death row have been exonerated. The justice system should work for all people. Sometimes people who are poor and people of color do not get adequate help and fair treatment in the judicial system. A good response to violence in our neighborhoods is not capital
punishment but, rather, the ongoing reform of the legal and correctional
systems, the strengthening of family life and other ties, and
the fostering of respect for the dignity of all human life. |