Ban on death penalty praised

TRENTON, N.J. -- New Jersey became Dec. 17 the first state to abolish the death penalty since it was reinstated by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1976--a historic move praised by the state's Catholic leaders.

"The church recognizes the rights and duties of the state to punish criminals and protect its citizens from crime. But we cannot teach respect for life by taking life," said Trenton Bishop John M. Smith, who represented the state's Catholic bishops at the bill signing.

"The issue of the death penalty carries with it deeply felt emotions, particularly among those who have had a loved one taken from them through violent crime. We must continue to be sensitive to the feelings people bring to this issue, and offer effective, ongoing assistance to the loved ones of victims," Smith said.

"Today New Jersey evolves," Gov. Jon S. Corzine said prior to signing the law. "This is a day of progress for us and for the millions of people across our nation and around the globe who reject the death penalty as a moral or practical response to the grievous, even heinous, crime of murder."

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"We have seized the moment and now join the ranks of other states and countries that view the death penalty as discriminatory, immoral and barbaric," said Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo. "We're a better state than one that puts people to death."

At the bill signing the governor was flanked by half a dozen legislators and Sr. Helen Prejean, an advocate for abolishing the practice, who has said by getting rid of the punishment New Jersey would be a "beacon on the hill."

The next day, the U.N. General Assembly ratified--104 to 54, with 29 abstentions--a resolution calling for a moratorium on executions "with a view to abolishing the death penalty."

According to Amnesty International, 133 countries have abolished capital punishment, and last year 91 percent of executions took place in six countries: China, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sudan and the United States.

--News wires

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