Maryland Catholics optimistic despite defeat of ban on death penalty

Published: 2007-03-20

BALTIMORE (CNS) -- Despite the defeat of a bill to ban the death penalty in Maryland, Catholic leaders said they were encouraged that the abolitionist cause appears to have gathered significant strength after many years of frustrated efforts. Known as SB 211, the bill would have replaced the death penalty with prison sentences of life without parole, but it was killed March 15 in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on a 5-5 vote. The bill needed six votes in favor to go the Senate floor. "The progress we have made in the short time of the last year has been nothing short of astounding," said Richard J. Dowling, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference, a key bill supporter. "I believe that we had sufficient votes in the House Judiciary Committee and on the floor of the House and Senate," he said. "I'm very upbeat about how far the church and other repeal advocates have come." Dowling said the support of Gov. Martin J. O'Malley, a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Baltimore, who forcefully testified in the bill's favor, also has breathed new life in the abolitionist cause. The Democratic governor promised to sign the measure into law if it reached his desk.

Copyright (c) 2007 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 The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in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 .