ATLANTA—Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., Archbishop of Atlanta, has released the following statement about House Bill 485, which would abolish the death penalty in Georgia:

“I wholeheartedly support an end to the death penalty in Georgia. House Bill 485, which awaits a hearing in the Georgia House of Representatives right now, would do just that. The death penalty is contrary to Catholic teaching. It fails to recognize the dignity and sanctity of human life and has no place in a system of restorative justice. Here in Georgia, as in many places, the death penalty has a history of being unjustly and disproportionately used against minorities as well as people with intellectual disabilities or mental illness. We cannot participate in this kind of blatant injustice.

The death penalty does not provide opportunity for prisoners to hopefully reconcile with God, the victims and the families of the victims. We must give the men and women on death row the opportunity for conversion and penance.

I call upon Catholics in the Archdiocese of Atlanta and all Georgians to support an end to the death penalty. Ask your representative for a hearing for House Bill 485 and help us bring criminal justice reform to our state.”