WYOMING FAITH LEADERS CALL FOR AN END TO THE DEATH PENALTY IN WYOMING​

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We the undersigned Wyoming faith leaders, representing the rich diversity of faith traditions and spiritual practices in Wyoming, stand together in our opposition to our state’s death penalty. We urge Governor Gordon and our elected officials to end the death penalty in Wyoming. 

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We join the many Wyomingites in questioning the use of the death penalty in our state, which is unjust, ineffective, and inaccurate. The death penalty not only has an overwhelming impact on communities of color and the poor but also puts innocent lives at risk. Due to serious legal errors in the administration of the death penalty, over 166 innocent people have been exonerated and released from death row. When a human life is at stake, there is simply no room for error. 

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As faith leaders, we are aware and disturbed by the violence in our communities. We believe that instead of allotting our scarce resources to fund a flawed capital punishment system, the State of Wyoming should invest in victim support services, effective law enforcement, drug treatment programs, child and family services, and mental healthcare – all methods that can prevent future acts of violence. 

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Across our various traditions, there are many differences. However, all of our traditions teach us to honor the sacredness of human life and the human capacity for change. It is this respect for all life that joins us together in advocating for the abolition of Wyoming’s death penalty.

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We urge you, our lawmakers and neighbors, to seek alternative forms of healing and justice for all those that suffer in the wake of violent crimes. We believe that our justice system should be both humane and restorative, and the death penalty simply does not meet these standards. Please support the repeal of Wyoming’s death penalty, it is time for us to move on from this broken and harmful system. 

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Bishop Steven Biegler, Catholic Diocese of Cheyenne

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Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Shive, Formerly the General Presbyter, Presbytery of Wyoming

 

Bishop Karen Oliveto, Mountain Sky Conference of The United Methodist Church

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The Rt. Rev. Paul-Gordon Chandler, Bishop of The Episcopal Church in Wyoming

 

Rev. Susan DeBree, United Methodist Pastor (formerly Cheyenne, Buffalo and Kaycee)

 

Karen Jerger, Jackson Hole Friends Meeting

 

Rev. Rodger McDaniel, Pastor, Highlands Presbyterian of Cheyenne

 

Rev. Dr. Sally Palmer, Wyoming Interfaith Network

 

Sandy Shuptrine, Jackson Hole Friends Meeting

 

The Very Rev. Marilyn J. Engstrom, St. Matthew's Episcopal Cathedral, Laramie

 

Rev. Rob Spaulding, St. Paul's Newman Center, Laramie

 

Father Mike Carr, Catholic, Cheyenne

 

Deacon Mike Leman Legislative Liaison Diocese of Cheyenne

 

The Rev. T. Tim Solon, Episcopalian, Cheyenne

 

Rev. Bruce McBurney, Lingle & Torrington Presbyterian Church (USA)

 

The Very Rev. Brian K. Gross, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Cathedral, Laramie

 

The Rev. Warren Murphy, Cody

 

Pastor Nathan Keith, ELCA, Laramie

 

Fr. Jim Heiser, St Stephens Catholic Indian Mission

 

Deacon Kenneth Pitlick, Newcastle

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Marjorie Griffith, Christian Science, Jackson

 

Rev. Robert Rodgers, Catholic, Worland

 

Deacon Dr. Douglas Vlchek, Our Lady of the Mountains Church, Jackson WY

 

Deacon Bill Hill, Roman Catholic, Rock Springs

 

Deacon Joe Bush, Catholic, Cody

 

Rev. Raymond P. Rodriguez, St. Anthony's Church, Casper

 

Deacon Ed McCarthy, Our Lady of Fatima, Casper

 

Fr. Philip Vanderlin, OSB Catholic Priest, Jackson

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Rev. Hannah Roberts Villnave, Unitarian Universalist Church of Cheyenne

 

Sister Ruth Ann Hehn, Catholic, Cheyenne

 

Deacon Richard Harden, Jackson

 

Fr. Tom Ogg, Catholic, Cheyenne

 

Rev. August Koeune, Catholic, Cheyenne

 

Sister Therese Steiner. Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Cheyenne

 

Fr. Augustine Carrillo, pastor St. Mary Magdalen and St. Helen, Evanston

 

Rev. Dr.  Candice Corrigan, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Cathedral, Laramie

 

Deacon Kevin Halvorsen, Catholic, Cheyenne

 

Maia Rose, Wyoming Friends Meeting, Lander

 

Rev. James Barth, United Methodist, Sheridan

 

Deacon Tom Niemann, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Cheyenne

 

Rev. Douglas Goodwin, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Sheridan

 

Rev. Robert L. Garrard, Presbyterian Church (USA), Cheyenne

 

Rev. Mark D. Calhoun, United Methodist, Wyoming Superintendent

 

Rev. Zach Bechtold, Grace United Methodist Church, Cheyenne

 

Rev. Pat Bell, Frontier United Methodist Church, Cheyenne

 

Pastor Kayilu Pfoze, United Methodist Church, Worland & Ten Sleep

 

Rev. Dan Odell, United Methodist Church, Casper

 

Pastor Janita Krayniak, United Methodist Church, Park & Big Horn Counties

 

Rev. Diane Carleton, Episcopal Church, Torrington

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Rev. Michelle Bacon, United Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Laramie