On April 9, the state of Missouri executed Brian Dorsey for the murders of Benjamin and Sarah Bonnie back in 2006, despite a myriad of issues raised by advocates arguing for clemency to be granted. In an effort to spare Mr. Dorsey’s life, the Missouri bishops and other religious leaders signed a letter requesting Missouri Governor Mike Parson to grant Mr. Dorsey clemency and commute his sentence to life without parole. Despite this letter, however, Governor Parson did not grant clemency for the fifth Missourian executed since November 2022.
The Catholic Church is strongly opposed to the death penalty because it disregards the sanctity and dignity of human life. Missouri has already scheduled its second execution date of 2024, which is for David Hosier on June 11.