RESOLUTION "F''
The 164th Annual Convention
Diocese of Chicago
November 9-10, 2001

Subject: From Death to Life: A Statement on Capital Punishment

Originators: The Deacon's Council, Episcopal Peace Fellowship, Grace Church Vestry (Chicago), St. Martin's (Chicago)

RESOLUTION

RESOLVED, that in recognition of the Episcopal Church's formal opposition to capital punishment since 1958 (reaffirmed in 1969,1979,1991 and 2000), and with an awareness of the depth and difficulty of the issue of capital punishment, this Convention calls for the of capital punishment and encourages all congregations in this Diocese to make an open invitation to the representatives of this resolution to host a forum of discussion regarding the abolition of capital punishment at the state and federal levels.

EXPLANATION

1. Now more than ever, given how the stark reality of our world calls on us as Christians value human life. we believe that capital punishment should be abolished for the following reasons:

a. It is at odds with the teaching and example of Jesus Christ to fight evil with and to forgive injury.

b. It involves the possibility of execution of innocent persons. Thirteen men have been exonerated and released from Illinois' death row since the death penalty's reinstatement in 1977.

c. It perpetuates the infection of racism in the criminal justice system. Nationally, the killer of a white person is four times more likely to be sentenced to death than a killer of a person of color.

d. The poor and vulnerable of our society, who lack the resources to properly defend themselves, are most likely to be subject to the death penalty.

e. It deprives the criminal of the opportunity for reform, rehabilitation, and restitution.

f. It deprives the survivors of the opportunity for forgiveness.

g. It has unsubstantiated value as a deterrent.

h. That life imprisonment is a more legitimate expression of society's need to punish the worst kinds of criminal behavior without resorting to violence in kind.

i. It perpetuates violence and destruction.

2. While abolition of the death penalty is not a simple solution for the complex problems of crime and violence, it can be and should be part of an overall approach that supports human life and dignity, spiritual healing, and restoration.

3. Passing resolutions stating the church's opposition to the death penalty is not enough. In spite of repeated resolutions in our church conventions, a majority of voters in this country continue to support capital punishment. Many of these voters are members of our church. This reflects a division of what we say as Christians and what we do in our secular world. The sponsors of this Resolution desire to meet with as many congregations as possible to encourage people in their role as voters and community leaders to end this contradiction of purpose.