The Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, welcomed Gov. Mike DeWine's June 16 call to abolish the state's death penalty, describing the proposal as consistent with the Catholic Church's teaching on the dignity of human life.
During a June 16 press conference, DeWine, a Republican, urged lawmakers to eliminate capital punishment in Ohio, saying he no longer believes the death penalty deters murder. He also said the moral justification he once saw for it "simply no longer exists,” noting that he no longer believes capital punishment helps protect the public.
Meagen Farrell, the diocese’s communications and social concerns director for the Diocese of Youngstown, told WKBN, a CBS affiliate, that the diocese was greatly encouraged by the governor's position.
"We are thrilled to have his support on this issue," Farrell said. "We know that Governor DeWine is a proponent of life and he has been very reticent to conduct any executions during his time in office."
In support of the governor’s remarks, Brian Hickey, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Ohio, said in a June 17 statement that the “death penalty perpetuates a cycle of violence, deprives offenders of rehabilitation, and increases costs to the state.” The Catholic Conference of Ohio represents the state’s Catholic bishops before lawmakers and government agencies.
Hickey joined DeWine in urging lawmakers to pass House Bill 72 and Senate Bill 134, which would abolish the death penalty and prohibit public funding for lethal injection drugs.
The statement further argued that several Ohio death row inmates have experienced conversion through the Catholic faith, repented of their crimes, and sought to serve others through prayer, penance, and service while incarcerated.
"In a state and country in which alternatives to execution exist, we should support punishments that are in greater conformity with the dignity of the human person, made in the image and likeness of God,” Hickey said.
He continued, “We are confident through the Catholic Church’s teaching, that God does not want the state to execute defenseless human beings.”
He also pointed to the impact executions have on those tasked with carrying them out.
"We appreciate Governor DeWine highlighting the role of state employees who must execute a fellow human," Hickey said. "Such a task, even in a volunteer role, is unnatural and immoral."
Hickey also praised DeWine’s broader pro-life record, saying the governor’s opposition to executions reflects a commitment to protecting human life at every stage.
House Bill 72 is currently before a House committee, while Senate Bill 134 remains under review in a Senate committee.