Catholic Mobilizing Network

05/29/2026

📣 Three men are scheduled to be executed in the month of June.📣

Andrew Lukehart, Jeffrey Lee, and Dusty Ray Spencer were all sentenced to death by non-unnanimous juries. Take action now to ask decision makers in Florida and Alabama to save their lives.

Currently, the actions for Mr. Lukehart and Mr. Lee are live on our website. Mr. Spencer’s will be available once we have more information.

We need your help to advocate for mercy and to defend the dignity of life. Please lift your voice today to oppose all three ex*****ons.

✍️ TAKE ACTION TODAY: catholicsmobilizing.org/act-now

05/29/2026

"By a vote of 5-4, the court in Pitchford v. Cain agreed with Terry Pitchford that the judge at his 2006 trial had not properly analyzed whether the prosecutor in Pitchford’s case violated the Constitution’s ban on racial discrimination in jury selection."

https://www.scotusblog.com/2026/05/supreme-court-sides-with-death-row-inmate-in-challenge-to-racial-discrimination-in-jury-selectio/

The result of this court case are a big step towards a greater conversation about the ethics of our current criminal justice system, including the immorality of capital punishment.

🗞 Read an analysis from one of our previous interns: https://catholicsmobilizing.org/blog/a-cmn-interns-account-of-pitchford-v-cain/

(Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)The Supreme Court on Thursday threw out a Mississippi man’s conviction and death sentence. By a vote of 5-4, the court in Pitchford v. Cain agreed with Terry Pitchford that the judge at his 2006 trial had not properly analyzed whether the prosecutor in Pitchf...

05/28/2026

To celebrate Pope Leo XIV's signing of Magnifica Humanitas, Vatican News shared this beautifully produced video. We highly recommend watching it!

Pope Leo XIV signs his first encyclical, "Magnifica humanitas"

05/27/2026

On May 25, 2026, Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical — a letter addressed to the bishops of the world, concerning matters that affect the Church at large. In choosing the title Magnifica Humanitas, the Holy Father does not just warn against the dangers of unregulated developing technology; he also, ultimately, emphasizes the importance of the human person and the dignity that all of us possess as sons and daughters of God.

Pope Leo expounds that while there are certain types of dignity that can be diminished, such as moral or social, “there is also the more profound and important level of ontological dignity. This is the dignity that belongs to every human being simply by virtue of existing, of having been willed, created and loved by God. No sin, failure, humiliation or exclusion can diminish the profound value of a human life that God has willed and called into being.” (Magnifica Humanitas, 52)

CMN’s mission towards ending the death penalty, advancing justice, and helping all affected by violent crime begin healing is rooted in this exact belief! All life is sacred, no matter the harm someone has experienced or caused. Thank you, Pope Leo XIV, for your witness.

05/24/2026

The gifts of the Holy Spirit, received on the first Pentecost, enabled the apostles to go out and share the Gospel, just as Jesus called them too. Thousands of years later, we are still called to do the same today.

CMN's Executive Director, Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, says:

"That’s why Pentecost is such an important day to us here at CMN. It’s an opportunity for each of us to recommit ourselves to this mission. It’s a chance to root ourselves in the Gospel message we are called to share—a Gospel of hope, love, and redemption for all people.”

Let us celebrate this Pentecost and relish in the promise Jesus made to the disciples: that an advocate would be sent to give us the strength we need to be the Church we are called to be. May each of us do our part so that it may be so. 🕊️🔥

💝 There’s still time to contribute to our Easter Appeal! Donate today: catholicsmobilizing.org/donate

05/21/2026

Today, Tennessee called off the ex*****on of Tony Carruthers due to the inability to find a vein for lethal injection; Gov. Bill Lee soon after granted him a one-year reprieve.

Mere hours later, the state of Florida executed Richard Knight via lethal injection, despite the legal counsel raising concerns that cited the case of Mr. Carruthers.

We call upon Mother Mary as this month of May comes to a close. May she intercede for all those affected by these acts of state-sanctioned violence. Dear Jesus, give us the strength to continue to work towards a better system of justice, which is truly healing for all. Amen.

05/21/2026

"In the grim circumstances of the attempted ex*****on today, we celebrate that Mr. Carruthers’ life is indeed his to live for another day," says CMN Executive Director Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy.

The ex*****on of Tony Carruthers in Tennessee — scheduled for Thursday, May 21 — has been called off after the ex*****on team was unable to establish backup venous access pursuant with the state’s protocol for...

05/20/2026

The state of Arizona has taken the life of Leroy McGill. This is the third ex*****on in our country within the past six days. Lord, have mercy.

We pray for all affected by this act of state-sanctioned violence:
- For the repose of the soul of his victim, Charles Perez. May he rest in peace.
- For the healing and comfort of those that love and remember Charles.
- For the witnesses and prison staff. May their hearts be softened.
- For those that care for Leroy and for Leroy's soul.

Let us never forget that each of these individuals was made in God’s image and likeness. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.” (John 14:3)

05/19/2026

05/18/2026

🎉 Congratulations to this year’s winners of CMN’s Justice & Mercy Poetry Contest for Young Adults!

The contest invited young adults ages 18-39 across the country to write poems about the injustice of the death penalty. The entries highlighted the racial disparities of capital punishment, the ex*****on of innocent people, and the call to honor the sanctity of life — particularly the lives of those on death row.

This year, CMN dedicated this contest to Kendrick Simpson — a poet executed by the state of Oklahoma on February 12, 2026 — who used his writing to take accountability for his actions and to hold onto his human dignity in the face of a system that strips it away.

📃 Read the winning poems today: catholicsmobilizing.org/poetry-winners

💝 Donate to CMN’s Easter Appeal: catholicsmobilizing.org/donate