Faith in Action


Religious Leaders Interfaith Statement


Most major religions - Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist, Unitarian, Quaker, Jewish and many others - condemn the use of the death penalty as a violation of human rights and a perpetuation of violence in our society. Many Protestant, Buddhist and other faith group leaders support alternatives to the death penalty and encourage their congregations to pray and study about this issue. In 2005 during Holy Week, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops called for abolition of the death penalty and initiated a national campaign to educate Catholics on the issue. If you are a religious leader in Delaware - a rabbi, priest, imam, deacon, pastor, or sister - sign the letter today! Your religious affiliation will be listed for identification purposes only. It does not imply an official position by the religious organization. The letter contains directions on where to send it.

DCODP Interfaith Statement


Delaware Citizens Opposed to the Death Penalty Interfaith Statement of Opposition to the Death Penalty The Religious Community Calls for Repeal of the Death Penalty As faith leaders throughout Delaware, we stand united against the continued use of capital punishment in our state. And we do not stand alone. The majority of religious communities nationwide oppose the death penalty as a violation of human rights and a perpetuation of violence in our society. The following national religious groups have made statements in opposition to the death penalty: American Baptist Church in the U.S.A. The Moravian Church in America The American Jewish Committee National Council of Churches of Christ The Bruderhoff Communities Orthodox Church in America Central Conference of American Rabbis Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) The Rabbinical Assembly Church of the Brethren Reformed Church in America Church Women United Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ The Episcopal Church of Latter Day Saints Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Union for Reform Judaism Fellowship of Reconciliation Unitarian Universalist Association Friends United Meeting United Church of Christ The General Association of American Baptists The United Methodist Church General Conference Mennonite Church U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops As people of faith, we support a justice system that is both humane and restorative. We uphold the victims of violent crime and their family members in their grief and suffering and promote measures that will facilitate their healing. We are greatly disturbed by the presence of violence in our communities. As ministers to many of our greatest societal problems, we believe the state must consider solutions to violent crime that address our communities’ need for healing not vengeance. In the name of justice, mercy, and peace, we oppose the death penalty. Sincerely, __________________________________________________________________________________ Signature Printed Name Title Affiliation/Congregation/City* __________________________________________________________________________________ Date Phone Email Address Affiliation listed for identification purposes only ____ Please initial here if we can release your name and religious affiliation publicly as an opponent of the death penalty. Send this information to DCODP1@gmail.com* or DCODP, 1304 N. Rodney Street, Wilmington, DE 19806-4227.

Downloading DCODP Interfaith Statement


Right click on the icon below and select “Save Target As…” Save file, then fill out and e-mail or send to DCODP at address indicated. Remember to mark the box that allows us to use your name and affiliation publicly.

Religious Leaders who have Signed the Interfaith Statement


The affiliation is listed for identification purposes only and does not imply the official position of the organization. Pastor Bruce Gillette, Limestone Presbyterian Church, Wilmington Pastor Carolyn Gillette, Limestone Presbyterian Church, Wilmington Rev. Dr. Vicki L. Gordy-Stith, United Methodist Church/Skyline, United Methodist Church/Wilmington Tom Davis, Honorably Retired Presbyterian pastor John Gilmore, Honorably Retired Presbyterian pastor Sally Milbury-Steen, Co-Clerk of Newark Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Msgr. Charles L. Brown III, Pastor, St. John the Beloved Catholic Church, Wilmington The Rev. Dr. William L. Rhines, Jr., Minister, Ezion-Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church, Wilmington Rev. Anne Ledbetter, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Wilmington Pastor Fritz Ackerman, Concord Presbyterian Church, Wilmington Rev. David Albert Farmer, Ph.D., Pastor, Silverside Church, Wilmington Most Reverend W. Francis Malooly, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington Rev. Tom A. Pastmore, Pastor, Richardson Park United Methodist Church, Wilmington Rev. Ann S. Wilson, Retired Deacon, Avenue United Methodist Church, Milford Judith Morton, Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Wilmington Ronald Bergman, Retired United Methodist Clergy Peggy A. Johnson, Bishop, Peninsula-Delaware conference of the United Methodist Church Rev. Mary H. Browne, Pastor, St. Johns United Methodist Church, Charlestown, MD David E. Mueller, Pastor, St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, Wilmington Rev. William F. Graney, Pastor, Roman Catholic, Wilmington Rev. Ralph Castelow, Associate Pastor, St. John The Beloved Catholic Parish, Wilmington Rev. Gregory M. Corrigan, Priest, Resurrection Parish, Wilmington Rev. James M. Jackson, Assoc. Pastor, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Bear Rev. Katherine A. Simons, Pastor. Presbyterian Church USA, Newark Rev. Edward J. Fahey, Jr., Catholic Priest, Wilmington Msgr. Daniel J. McGlynn, Pastor, Holy Cross Catholic Church, Dover Yair Robinson, Rabbi, Reform Congregation Beth Emeth, Wilmington Austin M. Snow, Deacon, Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Wilmington Jeannie Bennett Fleming, Director of Religious Education, St. Ann's Catholic Parish, Bethany Beach