Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Springfield (Agenzia Fides) – After years of debate, beginning in 1999, the Governor of Illinois, Pat Quinn, signed the decree abolishing the State's death penalty and substituting it with life imprisonment. Catholic organisations have applauded the final decision of Governor Quinn, formalised on Ash Wednesday. “The suspension of the death penalty is a sign of progress for the development of the culture of life for our State,” the Bishops of the United States had said previously, actively encouraging its abolition in an appeal sent to the Governor of Illinois (see Fides 9/3/2011). Appreciation also came from the Catholic Mobilizing Network in merit of the fact that the signing took place during Lent. “We are grateful in the way that Illinois took the time to reflect, study and act in merit of the sanctity of every human life,” reads the communication. “During this Lent we seek to focus our prayers and reflections on the value of every human life.”
Since 1976, the year in which the Supreme Court reintroduced the death penalty, there have been 12 executions in Illinois. 1,242 have occurred throughout the United States, while another 20 detainees have been exonerated. In 2003 the former Governor Ryan commuted the death sentences of 167 inmates awaiting execution to life imprisonment. Illinois is the 16th State of the United States without the death penalty. (AP) (10/3/2011 Agenzia Fides)
