Religious Outreach
TCADP will work with you to organize one of the following activities (complete the sign up form below):
- Publicize your faith tradition’s position/statements on the death penalty
- Have your faith leader sign the Interfaith Sign-on Letter.
- Toll your bells on the days of executions in Texas in order to encourage reflection and prayer (see People of Faith Against the Death Penalty for more information about this program)
- * Host a speaker or watch a film on the death penalty and hold a follow-up discussion. Consider some of the films listed below, all available from TCADP.
“At the Death House Door.” This film presents the journey of Reverend Carroll Pickett, the former Texas death house chaplain who accompanied 95 men – including Carlos DeLuna, likely an innocent man – to their executions. 2007. 1 hour, 37 minutes.
“70X7 the Forgiveness Equation.” This short film thrusts viewers into the turmoil between two sisters, Sue Norton and Maudie Hills, whose responses in the aftermath of their parents’ murder varied widely. The film also relives the horrific Oklahoma City terrorist attack in which Bud Welch’s young daughter was killed. His story reveals an unorthodox relationship with the father of the convicted killer, Timothy Mcveigh. These are the stories and their struggles speaking for themselves, these individuals shared how they coped with unforeseen bereavement, profound feelings of helplessness, rage and revenge, and, for some a move towards reconciliation and forgiveness. 2008. 36 minutes.
“The Empty Chair.” In this balanced and compelling portrayal, four families that have lost loved ones to murder confront their notions of revenge, forgiveness, and healing. This film works well with audiences that hold mixed views on the death penalty or groups that are addressing the issue for the first time. It includes commentary from Sister Helen Prejean. 2003. 52 minutes.
“Executing the Insane: The Case of Scott Panetti.” Scott Panetti was sentenced to death in Texas despite a long, documented history of paranoid schizophrenia. The film is a powerful portrait of the impact that Panetti’s mental illness – and his death sentence – has had on his family. 2007. 27 minutes. Available online.
“A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death.” Based on the U.S. Bishops’ 2005 statement of the same name, this film explores the Church’s stand on the use, effectiveness, and necessity of the death penalty and offers guidance to parishes that wish to address the issue. 2006. 15 minutes. Available on loan from TCADP or from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for $9.95: www.ccedp.org.
TCADP can provide you with fact sheets, brochures, films, discussion guides, petitions, or whatever else you might need to make your event/activity a success!
Please note when working in a faith community:
- Always be respectful
- Respect their process
- Feeling Safe is important
- Progress can be very slow and incremental
- Be creative, if talking about the bigger issue of the death penalty is not working try something else.
- Compelling storytellers are always more convincing than an activist (a murder victim family member or a family member of an executed inmate) People seem to more easily change their minds when they meet someone touched by the process. Activists are important in setting the scene with statistical information and the facts.
If you have questions please contact Vicki McCuistion.
Fill out the sign up form below to let us know of your upcoming event and to allow us to help you with materials, speakers, etc. Contact us today to discuss ways we can help you put YOUR faith into action.
