On June 11, the state of Missouri executed David Hosier for the murder of Angela Gilpin back in 2009, despite the efforts of the Missouri bishops and other leaders who had issued letters requesting Governor Mike Parson to grant Mr. Hosier clemency and commute his sentence to life without parole. The day of the execution, the Missouri Catholic Conference, along with several other people who oppose the death penalty, held a peaceful protest outside the governor’s office.
The Catholic Church is strongly opposed to the death penalty because it disregards the sanctity and dignity of human life. This was the second execution of 2024, after that of Brian Dorsey on April 9; last year, Missouri executed four people.