
We are a national group organizing clergy against the death penalty.
We invite you to join us.
Sign the declaration!
We, the undersigned clergy and spiritual leaders, stand united in our opposition to the death penalty.
We believe in the inherent dignity of every human being. No act of violence—no matter how serious—removes a person’s worth or humanity. The death penalty does not bring true justice. It continues a cycle of violence.
We have walked alongside those impacted by harm—victims, families, and sometimes even those facing execution. From these experiences, we have come to a shared conviction: taking a life does not heal wounds, restore what was lost, or bring lasting peace.
As clergy, we are called to be voices of compassion, accountability, and hope. We believe our role is not to support systems of harm, but to point toward healing and restoration.
We reject:
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The risk of executing innocent people
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The unequal application of the death penalty
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The belief that justice requires taking a life
We affirm:
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The possibility of change and transformation
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The value of every human life
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The importance of mercy and accountability
Therefore, we call for:
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The abolition of the death penalty
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A justice system focused on accountability and restoration
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Ongoing reflection within our faith communities about how we respond to harm
This is a moral issue.
This is a human issue.
We sign our names in shared commitment.
Our Founding Clergy
Bishop Jim St. George
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Dr. Sahar Alsahani
Stoney Point, New York
Cantor Mike Zoosman
Bethesda, Maryland
Bishop Durrell Watkins
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Rev. Michael Orr
Little Rock, Arkansas
Bishop John Gee
Cibolo, Texas
Bishop Robert Griffen
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
The Rev. Dr. Bart Johnson
Atmore, Alabama
The Rev. Dr. Horace McMillan
Chicago, Illinois
The Rev. Dr. Jerry Maynard
Houston, Texas
Dr. Majadi Buruti
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Rev. Dr. Scott Masters
Chesterfield, New Hampshire
The Rev. Dr. Augustine Tanner-Ihm
Manchester, United Kingdom
Bishop Greg Godsey
Augusta, Georgia
The Rev. Dr. Greg Hunt
Atmore, Alabama
We have welcomed over 800 more clergy since we started.
Sign the declaration to join us!
We will regularly deliver all of these signatures
to fight back against executions as they come.
