EUROPE/UNITED NATIONS - Following Pope John Paul’s repeated appeals to abolish capital punishment, Franciscans and many other Catholic groups say once again “no death penalty”

Geneva (Fides Service) - Capital punishment violates the most important of human rights, the right to life. It is not only contrary to the values of love and forgiveness it violates the international declaration of human rights. Franciscans International NGO registered with the United Nations said this in view of October 10 World Day to abolish the Death Penalty. In cooperation with NGO Dominicans For Justice and Peace, the Franciscans have launched several initiatives to support the Coalition Against the Death Penalty.
Calling on Catholic individuals and groups all over the world to join the campaign to abolish capital punishment so often condemned by Pope John Paul II, Franciscans International suggested various initiatives to mark the 10 October anti-death penalty day: prayer vigils; create awareness with diffusion of informative material; letters to governments of countries which use the death, asking them to abolish it.
Very often underlining the value of human life Pope John Paul has called for the “cruel and unnecessary” death penalty to be abolished.
In 2003 at least 1,146 people were executed in 28 countries and 2,756 more were given a sentence of capital punishment in 63 countries. So far 118 countries have abolished the death penalty.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 09/10/2004 Righe: 21 Parole: 252)