Iowa faith leaders speak out against calls to enact death penalty
It is with heavy hearts that we come together as one voice to speak up and stand against the introduction of the death penalty in Iowa.
For many reasons, based on the spectrum of our faiths and religious traditions we represent as well as the clear societal concerns surrounding the implementation of the death penalty, we fervently oppose the death penalty and ask you as elected officials to oppose it as well.
We come with heavy hearts because our beloved Iowa is considering legislation we know to be wrong, immoral and contrary to the facts that have become so apparent across the nation.
The data and facts are clear. The implementation of the death penalty is influenced by the racial undertones of our nation’s history. African American men are adversely and disproportionately impacted. They are more likely to be given the death penalty upon conviction, especially if the victim is white. This alone is argument enough against the death penalty, but we have additional concerns.
We, along with most Americans, are concerned about innocent people being sentenced to death. Seven of 10 adults believe there is a risk an innocent person will be put to death. Fifty percent of Americans say minorities are more likely than whites to be sentenced to death for the same crime. Between 1973 and 2015, 153 innocent people were exonerated with evidence of their innocence and released from death row.
We, along with most Americans, understand the death penalty is not a deterrent to crime. States with the lowest murder rates do not have the death penalty, while states with the highest murder rates do have the death penalty. A 2009 poll found police chiefs ranked the death penalty last among ways to reduce violent crime and the least efficient use of taxpayers’ money to deter crime.
We, along with most Americans, know the cost of implementing the death penalty is too high a price to pay in terms of our scarce public dollars. In Oklahoma, capital cases cost on average 3.2 times more than non-capital cases. In a state like Iowa that is unable to adequately fund basic, public services such as PK-12 and higher education or provide basic protections for children and the least of those among us, we have no business adding the unnecessary costs of implementing the death penalty.
The use of the death penalty by states is on the decline. Seven states have abolished the death penalty since 2007, including New York, New Jersey, New Mexico, Illinois, Connecticut, Maryland and Delaware. Multiple states have placed a suspension or moratorium on executions. Only five states accounted for all executions in 2016 (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Missouri and Texas), which tells us other states understand the death penalty is not a fair or reasonable action for a state to take. Iowa has not had the death penalty since 1965.
We, along with most Americans, do not support the death penalty. A 2010 poll found 61% of voters would choose a punishment other than the death penalty for murder.
At its core, our opposition to the death penalty is based in our faith traditions that inform our beliefs on what is right and wrong and what we must stand against on behalf of our faith and human rights. Our collective faiths compel us to use our voices to declare the death penalty wrong and immoral. The government should not kill a human being as retribution or punishment, regardless of the person’s actions.
As faith leaders and clergy across the state, we implore you to stand with us and say no to allowing the death penalty in Iowa. It is unfair, unnecessary, ineffective and morally wrong.
Connie Ryan, Executive Director, Interfaith Alliance of Iowa
Bishop Laurie Haller, Iowa Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church
Bishop Alan Scarfe, Episcopal Diocese of Iowa
Bishop Michael L Burk, Southeastern Iowa Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Bishop Steven L. Ullestad, Northeastern Iowa Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Bishop Richard Pates, Bishop of Des Moines
Rev. Bill Spangler-Dunning, Regional Minister, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Upper Midwest
Rev. Brigit Stevens, Executive Conference Minister, Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota Conference of the United Church of Christ
Rev. Tim Button-Harrison, District Executive Minister, Northern Plains District, Church of the Brethren
Stated Clerk, Dr. Rebecca Blair, Presbytery of Eastern Iowa
The Rev. Wendy K Abrahamson, Episcopal Church, Grinnell
Reverend Randy Allman, Disciples of Christ, Story City
Rev. Michael Amadeo, Catholic, Des Moines
Sister Lou Anglin, Catholic, Dubuque
The Reverend Laura Arnold, United Church of Christ, Decorah
Reverend Ryan Arnold, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Des Moines
Fr. Robert J. Aubrey, Roman Catholic, Des Moines
Rev. Dean Baer, ELCA, Des Moines
Rev. Phil Barrett, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Atlantic
Rabbi Emily Barton, Jewish, Des Moines
Rev. Dr. Beverlee Bell, United Methodist, Urbandale
Reverend William Bernau, ELCA, Des Moines
Reverend Alice Bolen, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), West Des Moines
Rev. Dr. Ramona Bouzard, Lutheran Christian, Waverly
Sister Mary Anne Bradish, Catholic, Dubuque
Rev. Mr. Tom Bradley, Catholic, Johnston
Rev. Brad Braley, Presbyterian Church (USA), Cedar Falls
Rev. Candice Brown, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Des Moines
Rev. Wallace Bubar, Presbyterian Church USA, Des Moines
Rev. Patricia Buck, Disciples of Christ, Indianola
Reverend Tammy Buseman, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Marion
Reverend Sheryl Butler, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Glenwood
Reverend Mary Jane Button-Harrison, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Ames
The Rev Dr Elaine Caldbeck, The Episcopal Church, Bettendorf
Rev. Jill Cameron Michel, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Coralville
Sister Deanna Carr, Catholic, Dubuque
Sister Alice Caufield, Catholic, Dubuque
Pastor John Chaplin, United Church of Christ (UCC), Des Moines
Sister Dorothy Ann Chevalier, Roman Catholic, Johnston
Reverend Dick Clark, Christian, United Methodist, Urbandale
Reverend Kathleen Clark, United Methodist, Des Moines
The Rev. Mary Cole-Duvall, Episcopal, West Des Moines
Rev Paul Collier, Presbyterian Church (USA), Mason City
Sister Mary Donard Collins, Roman Catholic, Dubuque
Rev. Elizabeth Colton, United Church of Christ, Oskaloosa
Sister Margaret Mary Cosgrove, Catholic, Dubuque
Priest Karen Crawford, Episcopalian, Newton
Rev. Robert Crenshaw, Christian Church (DOC), Des Moines
Sister Mary Crimmin, Roman Catholic, Dubuque
Rev. McKinna Daugherty, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Altoona
The Rev Maureen Doherty, Episcopal, Waverly
Sister Pat Donahoe, Catholic, Dubuque
Father John Dorton, Catholic, Des Moines
Sister Catherine Dunn, Catholic, Dubuque
The Reverend Thomas Early, Episcopal, Spirit Lake
The Rt. Rev. Christopher Epting, The Episcopal Church, Coralville
Rev. Emily E. Ewing, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Urbandale
The Rev Joan Farstad, Episcopal, Waverly
Sister of Charity BVM Mary Jean Ferry, Catholic, Dubuque
Reverend Timothy Fitzgerald, Roman Catholic, Altoona
Reverend Abraham L. Funchess, Jr., Christianity, Waterloo
Pastor Frederick Gaddy, African Methodist Episcopal, Des Moines
The Rev. Andrew Gangle, Lutheran, Des Moines
The Rev. Eileen Gebbie, United Church of Christ, Ames
Postulant and Seminarian Lizzie Gillman, Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, Des Moines
Sister of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Theresa Gleeson, Catholic, Dubuque
Reverend Debbie Griffin, Christian Church Disciples of Christ, Des Moines
Pastoral Care Barbara Gross, Catholic, Des Moines
Father Ken Gross, Catholic, West Des Moines
Rev. Chester Guinn, United Methodist, Des Moines
Reverend Eric Guy, United Methodist, Des Moines
Sister Teri Hadro, BVM Roman Catholic, Dubuque
Sister Elaine Hagedorn, Catholic, Des Moines
Sister Marilyn Jean Hagedorn, Catholic, Des Moines
Rev Suzanne Hall Stout, Disciples of Christ, Des Moines
Retired Clergy Dale Hanaman, United Methodist, Rippey
Sister Brigid Mary Hart, Catholic, Dubugue
The Reverend Alice Haugen, Episcopalian, Durant
Sister C Jean Hayen, BVM Roman Catholic, Dubuque
Sister Anita Therese Hayes, Catholic, Dubuque
Sister Mary Healey, Roman Catholic, Dubuque
Sister Eileen Healy, Catholic, Dubuque
Sister Kate Hendel, Catholic, Dubuque
Rev. Susan Hendershot Guy, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Des Moines
Rev. Rich Hendricks, Metropolitan Community Churches, Davenport
Reverend Deborah Hill-Davis, Christian, Ames
Rev. Dr. Mark Holmer, Episcopal, Algona
The Rev. Raisin Horn, Episcopal, Davenport
Rev. Sheryl Hughes-Empke, Episcopal, Des Moines
Rev Carlos Jayne, United Methodist, Des Moines
Sister Virginia Jennings, Catholic, Dubuque
Reverend Jonna Jensen, United Church of Christ, Baldwin
Rev. Patricia Johnson, Episcopalian, Sioux City
Reverend Paul Johnson, United Church of Christ, Des Moines
The Reverend Wayne Kamm, Christian Episcopal, Mt. Pleasant
Rabbi Henry Karp, Reform Judaism, Davenport
Rev. Kirsten Klepfer, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Grinnell
The Rev. Daniel Kuckuck, ELCA, Urbandale
Rev Carmen Lampe Zeitler, American Baptist, Des Moines
Rev. Martha Lang, Christian-Episcopalian, Muscatine
Deacon Angela Larson Christian, ELCA Lutheran, Des Moines
Postulant Jennifer Latham, Episcopal, Grinnell
Rev James Laurenzo, Catholic, Des Moines
Sister Kathryn Lawlor, Catholic, Dubuque
Reverend Kristine Leaman, Episcopal, Clermont
Sister Lynn Lester, Catholic, Dubuque
Sister Louise Levandowski, Catholic, Dubuque
Rev. Nathan Liedtke, ELCA (Lutheran), Norwalk
Sister Joanne Marie Lucid, Catholic, Dubuque
Father John Ludwig, Roman Catholic, Norwalk
Sister LaDonna Manternach, Catholic, Dubuque
Rev. Matthew Mardis-LeCroy, United Church of Christ, Des Moines
Pastor Sam Massey, Presbyterian Church USA, Iowa City
Sister Virginia MCaffrey, Catholic, Dubuque
Sister of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sara McAlpin, Catholic, Dubuque
The Reverend Jean McCarthy, Episcopal Church, Des Moines
Sister Mary McCauley, Catholic, Dubuque
Rev. Barbara McCaulley, Episcopal, Mason City
Rev. Kent McKusick, Unitarian Universalist, Ames
Sister Bernadette McManigal, Catholic, Dubuque
Rev. Russell J. A. Melby, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Ames
Rev. Richard Miller, PCUSA, Davenport
The Rev. Rachel Thorson Mithelman, ELCA, Des Moines
Reverend (Retired) Vernon Naffier, Lutheran (ELCA), Des Moines
Reverend Liane Nichols, Episcopalian, Cedar Falls
The Rev. Mary Jane Oakland, Episcopal, Ames
Reverend Patricia Adams Oberbillig, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Des Moines
The Rev. Christopher Olkiewicz, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Windsor Heights
Sister MaryThea O'Meara, Roman Catholic, Dubuque
Sister Julie O'Neill, BVM Roman Catholic, Dubuque
Sister Marcellla O'Rourke, BVM Catholic, Dubuque
Rev. Stephen Orr, Catholic, Ankeny
Pastor Paul Ostrem, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Iowa City
Reverend Lisa Parker, Lutheran – ELCA, Ankeny
Pastor Eric Pasanchin, Presbyterian Church (USA), Ankeny
The Rev. Douglas Peters, Christian (United Methodist), Iowa City
Reverend Jessica Petersen, United Church of Christ, Newton
The Rev. Suzanne Peterson, Episcopal, Des Moines
Father David Polich, Roman Catholic, Osceola
Sister Karen Pollard, Catholic, Dubuque
The Rev. Mary Pugh, Presbyterian – PCUSA, Blue Grass
Sister Regina Qualls, Roman Catholic, Dubuque
Sister Ann Quirk, Catholic, Dubuque
Pastoral Mininster Diane Rapozo, Roman Catholic, Dubuque
Rev Ruth Ratliff, Episcopal, Cedar Falls
Rev. Julia Rendon, United Church of Christ, Indianola
Sister Jacquely Rice, Catholic, Dubuque
Rev. Sarai Rice, Presbyterian Church (USA), Des Moines
Sister Sandra Rodemyer, Roman Catholic, Urbandale
The Reverend Martha Rogers, Episcopal, Marion
Rev. Dr. David Ruhe, United Church of Christ, Des Moines
Rev. Dr. Pamela Saturnia, Presbyterian Church (USA), Muscatine
Reverend Holly Scherff, Episcopal, Shenandoah
Rev. Pamela Schroeder, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Ankeny
Rev Michele Scott, U.C.C., Cedar Rapids
Reverend Juanita Scriven, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Des Moines
Rev. David Sickelka, United Church of Christ, Urbandale
The Reverend Jeanie Smith, Episcopal, West Des Moines
The Reverend Larry Sonner, United Methodist, Des Mones
Pastor Patricia Stalter, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Woodward
Reverend Gayle Strickler, Jr., United Church of Christ, Grinnell
Reverend Joseph Stutler, Humanist, ULC, Marion
Sister of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Rosemary Surby, Catholic, Dubuque
Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) Barbara Jean Tascher, BVM Roman
Catholic, Dubuque
Rev. Cheryl Thomas, Christian and American Baptist, Des Moines
Reverend Alex Thornburg, Presbyterian, Clive
Postulant Zebulun Treloar, Episocopalian, Des Moines
Rev. Sarah Trone Garriott, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Windsor Heights
Reverend Erika Uthe, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Iowa City
Baljit Singh Virdi, Sikhism, West Des Moines
Reverend Meg Wagner, The Episcopal Church, Cedar Rapids
Rev. Benjamin Webb, Episcopalian, Des Moines
Sister Roberta White, Catholic, Dubuque
Pastor Nathan Willard, United Church of Christ, Ankeny
Sister Elizabeth Wirtz, Catholic, Dubuque
Sister Mary Janine Wolff, Catholic, Dubuque
Sister Mary Ellen Zimmermann, Catholic, Dubuque