STATEMENT ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

Adopted August, 1965, Kidren, Ohio.

In view of the prophetic commission given to the church as set forth in two recent statements of Mennonite General Conference, A Declaration of Christian Faith and Commitment with Respect to Peace, War, and Nonresistance (1951), and The Christian Witness to the State (1961); in view of the sanctity of human life; and in view of our redemptive concern for the offender, be it

RESOLVED, that we appeal to the parliament of the Dominion of Canada and to the federal and state governments of the United States, to discontinue the use of the death penalty and that we refer to our conferences and congregations for study and discussion of the paper, "A Christian Declaration on Capital Punishment", as prepared by the Peace Problems Committee.

In view of our responsibility as ministers of reconciliation, be it further

RESOLVED that we confess that we have not adequately fulfilled our obligation to the offender nor for the reduction of crime in our society.  We need to be more faithful in bringing a Christian witness to persons in prison and in laboring for the reform of prison procedures, for the rehabilitation of released prisoners and for the correction of spiritual, economic, and social conditions which contribute to the making of juvenile offenders and to the spread of crime.

We pray that in our brotherhood the Spirit may deepen each member’s conviction and understanding of his obligation to individual criminal offenders, to the government under which he lives, and to Christ.  And we pray that God may grant us wisdom, vision, and courage that as a brotherhood we may engage in this ministry as the Holy Spirit gives us direction.

The Mennonite Church

421 S. Second Street, Suite 600

Elkhart, IN 46516