The Virginia General Assembly passed a final version of a bill
that will abolish the death penalty in the commonwealth Feb. 22. The Senate
voted 22-16 to pass the legislation, which the House of Delegates then approved
on a 57-43 vote, according to the advocacy group Virginians for Alternatives to
the Death Penalty. There is expected to be a public signing ceremony with Gov.
Ralph Northam in April.
An earlier version of the bill passed both chambers in early
February. In a statement with Richmond Bishop Barry C. Knestout, Bishop Michael
F. Burbidge praised the decision. “We offer — and affirm the utmost need for —
prayerful support for the families of victims of horrific crimes,” they said.
“We also affirm, with clarity and conviction, the words of the Catechism of the
Catholic Church: ‘(T)he death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack
on the inviolability and dignity of the person.’ ”
Legislation that would expand abortion coverage in Virginia’s
health exchange also is likely to be signed by Gov. Northam, who is pro-choice.
The Virginia Catholic Conference, the lobbying arm of Virginia’s bishops, and
Bishop Burbidge have spoken against the measure.
“Replacing the current life-saving restrictions on abortion with
a policy of abortion coverage in our state exchange is drastic,” said Bishop Burbidge
during his Feb. 2 “Walk Humbly Podcast.” “It will result in the tragic end to
more unborn lives, and additionally in poll after poll, citizens do not want
their tax dollars going toward abortion.”
