The Most Reverend Matthew J. Barber, S.J. Bishop
Diocese of Oakland
Oakland, Ca
Dear Bishop Barber:
Is our Catholic Church publicly declaring that our public policy on the Death Penalty for prisoners is of more concern and importance than that of the deaths of innocent human babies?
I have just read the 3/16/19 praise-filled report, contained in the online California Catholic Conference website, concerning the actions of Gov. Newsom in issuing a Moratorium on the Death Penalty.
The California Catholic Conference penned a letter of thanks to Governor Newsom, signed by San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone. In other words, prisoners legally found guilty of certain heinous crimes are executed within the boundaries of Archbishop Cordileone’s Bishopric. Therefore it is up to Cordileone to carry the CCC’s banner on this one.
This action is not without irony. Archbishop Cordileone is a strong proponent of the Right to life for preborn and born survivors of abortion. The California Catholic Conference of Bishops has, perhaps intentionally, exposed Cordileone to a charge of hypocrisy by his Pro Life followers. . Why , they might think, is he placing more importance on removing the Death Penalty for convicted violent criminals but not for preborn and born survivors of abortion?
Taking a different stance, the Editorial for 3/17/19 of the Contra Costa Times, rightly places the stigma of hypocrisy where it belongs, at the desk of Governor Newsom as the true hypocrite.
Newsom is on record during his Gubernatorial campaigning that he would not thwart the will of the people.
The editorial declares the Moratorium, issued so early in the Governor’s term, is a hypocritical flaunting of the will of the people who have, time and again, voted to retain the Death Penalty.
California Right to Life suggests an even more worthy petition to the Governor for a moratorium. How about if the California Catholic Conference of Bishops advocates for an indefinite moratorium on The Death Penalty for the preborn and the born abortion survivor?
Far more babies die weekly from the violent and painful abortion death penalty within several California Counties than do any adult prisoners who die in the electric chair or by legally administered drugs.
Maybe this would be a good action during Lent?
Sincerely,
Camille Giglio, Director
California Right to Life Committee
St. Mary Immaculate Parish member, Walnut Creek
2872 Ygnacio Valley Rd 243
Walnut Creek, Ca 94598
