CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND THE DEATH PENALTY

Whereas, justice/righteousness is a basic concept of Christianity, and

Whereas, prison populations commonly exceed safe and humane levels, and

Whereas, some persons who have been convicted of crimes do not need to be confined to protect themselves or others from physical or property damage, and

Whereas, halfway houses may effectively serve both as an alternative to jailing and a means of reducing periods of incarceration and reintegrating jailed persons into the community, therefore be it

RESOLVED: that this Synod urge congregations of the Northern Province to give active public support to establishment of halfway houses, and be it further

RESOLVED: that congregations of the Northern Province be encouraged to receive such halfway houses into their communities and residents of such institutions into their fellowship, and

Whereas, prison chaplains who bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to inmates also concern themselves with the welfare of inmates’ families, innocent victims of the criminal’s incarceration, therefore be it

RESOLVED: that congregations of the Northern Province become familiar with the work of prison chaplains and determine ways in which the churches can help.

RESOLVED: that this Synod oppose the death penalty.

R&E 1982, pp.49-50, R.27, 28, 30, 31

Whereas, this Synod believes capital punishment is against the spirit of the Moravian Church, therefore, be it

RESOLVED: that the Northern Province of the Moravian Church in North America put itself on record as being opposed to capital punishment and that the members of the Moravian church be urged to work for the abolition of the death penalty.

RESOLVED: that in order that society may be protected, this Synod urges members of the Moravian Churches of the Northern Province of America to give support to the continuing improvement of the policies and services which lead to the rehabilitation of prisoners in the correctional institutions of our country.

JNP 1961. p. 288, R. 5-6

The Moravian Church In America

Northern Province

1021 Center Street

P.O. Box 1245

Bethlehem, PA 18016-1245