New Jersey passes death penalty moratorium measure

Published: 2006-01-11

TRENTON, N.J. (CNS) -- Archbishop John J. Myers of Newark praised the New Jersey Legislature for passing a death penalty moratorium bill, calling it "a giant step" toward finding another way to punish criminals and protect its citizens. "The state of New Jersey took a giant step in affirming what the bishops have long stated: that a developed and civil society should examine alternative processes for protecting its citizens and punishing effectively those who have committed grave wrongs," he said. The archbishop, who is also president of the state's Catholic conference, issued his statement after the bill passed the state Assembly Jan. 9 by a vote of 55-21. The bill had passed the state Senate by a vote of 30-6 in December. New Jersey Gov. Richard Codey has said he will sign the bill before he leaves office Jan. 17. The bill suspends executions while a task force studies how the death penalty has been applied in the state. New Jersey would become the third state to enact such a moratorium.

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .