Category Archives: Death Penalty

Commission Continues Support for Scott Rush and Other Australians

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Brisbane’s Catholic Justice and Peace Commission welcomed the Indonesian Supreme Court’s decision to reduce Scott Rush’s death sentence to life imprisonment, but insisted that it must continue its support for Scott Rush and for the other Australians who are still on death row in Indonesia.

The Commission’s Executive Officer, Peter Arndt, said that life imprisonment in Indonesia for Scott Rush was not acceptable.

“We are, of course, happy that Scott Rush will not have to worry about facing a firing squad any more, but life in prison in Bali is still a dreadful prospect,” Mr Arndt said.

“We know that Scott and his family have been greatly supported by the prayers and practical help of so many people over the last few years, but they now face the stark reality of Scott living for the rest of his life in the most appalling conditions,” he said.

“At our recent Good Friday prayer vigil, we learned how concerned Scott’s parents are over the living conditions in Scott’s Bali prison,” he said.

“We will look at what support we can give to them to get a reasonable and appropriate outcome for Scott,” he said.

“Those who have faithfully come to the Commission’s Good Friday vigils and our monthly prayer vigils will know that we have not only been praying for Scott, but also for the other two Australians on death row in Indonesia and for everyone on death row around the world,” he said.

“Our prayers and our action must continue for them too,” he said.

“We must continue to promote the sanctity of life and the human dignity of every person including those who have committed the most horrible crimes,” he said.

The Commission’s next death penalty prayer vigil will be held at Christ the King Church, Churchill Street, Graceville at 7 p.m. on Tuesday 24 May.

For further information, please contact Peter Arndt on (07) 3336 9173 or 0409 265 476.

NB  This release is issued with the approval of the Commission or its Executive under the provision of its Mandate which enables it to speak in its own right.  The views expressed in it do not necessarily represent the views of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.

 

Commission Continues Good Friday Death Penalty Vigil

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Monday 11 April 2011

For the fourth year, Brisbane’s Catholic Justice and Peace Commission will hold a Good Friday prayer vigil for those on death row at Christ the King Catholic Church, Churchill Street, Graceville.

The vigil, which will be held at noon, will be an opportunity for Christians to offer prayer support for all those facing execution around the world, for their families and for all victims of crime.

While prayers will be offered for all on death row around the world, special focus will be given to the three Australians on death row in Bali, Andrew Chan, Myuran Sukumaran and Scott Rush, whose family is a part of the parish where the vigil will be held.

Prayers will also be offered for the Nigerian man, Titus Ani, who shares a cell with the Australians and for whom the Corinda-Graceville Parish provides special support.

The Commission’s Executive Officer, Peter Arndt, said that the three Australians in Bali have been waiting for a long time for the outcome of their final appeals to the Indonesian Supreme Court.

“All three men lodged their appeals soon after the middle of last year and there is still no word on a decision,” Mr Arndt said.

“This is a very difficult time for these men who are detained in overcrowded conditions in Bali,” he said.

“It is also a time of immense anguish and pain for their parents and families,” he said.

“As we remember Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross, we remember all those who suffer in our world today,” he said.

“God’s love brought to birth new life out of Jesus’ death,” he said.

“We pray in great hope that God’s love will also end the pain and suffering of those on death row and of all those who love them,” he said.

All are welcome to join the vigil.

For further information, please contact Peter Arndt on (07) 3336 9173 or 0409 265 476.

NB  This release is issued with the approval of the Commission or its Executive under the provision of its Mandate which enables it to speak in its own right.  The views expressed in it do not necessarily represent the views of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.

Death Row Prayers Continue as Final Appeals Lodged

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Monday 16 August 2010

Brisbane’s Catholic Justice and Peace Commission is calling on Catholics to continue praying for the three members of the Bali Nine who have now all lodged their final appeals against their death sentences to Indonesia’s Supreme Court.

The Commission has held an annual Good Friday prayer vigil for those on death row around the world since 2008 and has started an additional monthly prayer vigil this year in the Brisbane Parish of Corinda-Graceville, the home parish of Scott Rush, one of the three Australians on death row in Bali.

Scott Rush lodged his final appeal against his death sentence in July and the other two Australians, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, lodged their appeals last Friday.

The Commission’s Executive Officer, Peter Arndt, urged Catholics to pray for all three Australians and their families.

“Whatever their wrongdoing, they all have a right to life and should not face execution as punishment,” Mr Arndt said.

“All these men and their families are facing enormous stress and pain and need our prayers,” he said.

“One of the Indonesian lawyers lodging the appeals last week said that the death penalty on his client violated his right to life which is guaranteed by the Indonesian Constitution,” he said.

“We strongly oppose these death sentences for the same reason,” he said.

“Church Teaching effectively rejects the use of capital punishment as a violation of the right of every human being to God’s gift of life,” he said.

“Our Commission will also be urging our Federal politicians to do everything they can to support these three men and to encourage the Indonesian Government to abandon its use of the death penalty,” he said.

The Commission’s next prayer vigil will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church, Churchill Street, Graceville, next Tuesday 24 August at 7 p.m.  All are welcome to join with the Commission and the local Parish community in prayer for the three Australians and all those on death row around the world.

For further information, please contact Peter Arndt on (07) 3336 9173 or 0409 265 476.
NB  This release is issued with the approval of the Commission or its Executive under the provision of its Mandate which enables it to speak in its own right when required.  The views expressed in it do not necessarily represent the views of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.

Death Penalty Vigil for Good Friday

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Media Release Monday 22 March 2010

Brisbane’s Catholic Justice and Peace Commission will once again hold a Good Friday vigil to pray for those on death row in Indonesia and around the world, for their families and for the victims of violence and crime.

As in previous years, the prayer vigil will take place at noon at Christ the King Catholic Church, Churchill Street, Graceville in the home parish of Lee and Chris Rush, the parents of Scott Rush who is one of the “Bali Nine” remaining on death row in Indonesia.

The Commission’s Executive Officer, Peter Arndt, said that the vigil comes at an important time as Scott Rush’s final appeal may soon be heard.

“We remain committed to this vigil as an important witness to the Gospel of life,” Mr Arndt said.

“The Gospel tells us that all human beings are created in the image of God and, therefore, have a dignity which no-one can take away,” he said.

“That is why the Church is opposed to capital punishment and why we stand in solidarity with those on death row on Good Friday,” he said.

“We are, of course, especially concerned to show support to Scott Rush and his family, but our prayers are for everyone on death row whatever their nationality or crime,” he said.

“It is our hope that our prayers will be accompanied by action aimed at ending capital punishment everywhere,” he said.

 “It is encouraging that the Federal Government has introduced legislation into the Parliament to prohibit the reintroduction of the death penalty in any jurisdiction in Australia,” he said.

 “There is, however, much more work to do to convince those nations who still use the death penalty to stop the practice,” he said.

 “We hope that Catholics will continue to pray for all those on death row and also try to encourage our politicians to bring about an end to capital punishment everywhere,” he said.

 For further information, please contact Peter Arndt on (07) 3336 9173 or 0409 265 476.

NB  This release is issued with the approval of the Commission or its Executive under the provision of its Mandate which enables it to speak in its own right when required.  The views expressed in it do not necessarily represent the views of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane

Death Penalty Prayer for Good Friday

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Brisbane’s Catholic Justice and Peace Commission will hold a further vigil to pray for all those on death row around the world.

The prayer vigil will take place on Good Friday, April 10, at noon at Christ the King Church, Churchill Street, Graceville.

The Commission’s Executive Officer, Peter Arndt, said that the plight of Scott Rush, whose family is part of the local Corinda-Graceville Parish, will continue to be a special focus of the vigil.

“We want to pray for all those around the world who face execution, but we are especially conscious of the pain and suffering of Scott Rush and his parents, Chris and Lee,” Mr Arndt said.

“We are very grateful for the support given to us by Fr Tim Harris and the Corinda-Graceville Parish,” he said.

“There are some comments coming from Indonesia which suggest that the time for further appeals by Scott and other Australians on death row may be limited, but we are not sure if this is actually the case,” he said.

“We do know that the Australian Government is adopting a much more positive attitude to universal abolition of capital punishment and this is very welcome,” he said.

“We hope that Catholics will continue to find the time to approach our politicians to ensure that they are doing everything they can to stop the execution of Scott and everyone else on death row,” he said.

“But we also want everyone praying constantly for Scott and his family and for everyone else affected by a death sentence in Indonesia and around the world,” he said.

“The day when Jesus was executed is an appropriate day for us to remember all those also facing execution,” he said.

“For those of us who believe in the message of the crucified Jesus, the message of God’s mercy, compassion and forgiveness is vital,” he said.

“We appeal to Catholics to stand against the violence of the death penalty and to stand up for life,” he said.

For further information, please contact Peter Arndt on (07) 3336 9173 or 0409 265 476.

NB This release is issued with the approval of the Commission or its Executive under the provision of its Charter which enables it to speak in its own right. The views expressed in it do not necessarily represent the views of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.

Abolition of the Death penalty:Petition and Prayer Vigil

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Death Penalty Abolition Petition to the Australian Senate asking it to take action to promote the abolition of the death penalty in all cases everywhere and to save the lives of Australians and people of other nationalities facing execution in countries such as Indonesia.

Please print as many copies as you need and ask people in your parish, school, workplace, organisation and community to sign the petition. Please return all signed petitions to the address at the bottom of the petition by April 30.

Prayer Vigil

 

The Catholic Justice & Peace Commission of Brisbane will hold a prayer vigil in support of all those on death row in Indonesia and in other parts of the world on Good Friday, 21 March, at 12 noon at Christ the King Catholic Church, Randolph Street, Graceville.

 

During the vigil, Lee and Chris Rush, parents of Scott Rush, who is still on death row in Indonesia, and Tanya Richards, Christian World Service Worker for Queensland Churches Together, who visited members of the Bali Nine on death row in Indonesia, will share their reflections on the plight of those who face the executioner.

 

All are welcome.

 

Commission Launches Death Penalty Abolition Campaign

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Monday 3 March 2008

Brisbane’s Catholic Justice and Peace Commission has launched a campaign to urge the Australian Government to take strong action to convince our neighbours in the Asia/Pacific region to abolish the death penalty.

The Commission’s Executive Officer, Peter Arndt, said that the campaign responds, in particular, to the death sentences imposed on six Australians, including Brisbane man, Scott Rush, as a result of drug convictions in Indonesia.


“The Commission realizes that the lives of many people in Australia are being deeply affected by the imposition of these death sentences of six of the Bali Nine,” Mr Arndt said.


“This campaign builds on the efforts of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council which launched a paper on the death penalty last December in the parish of Scott Rush’s family,” he said.


“We know that many Catholics responded strongly when Australian man, Van Nguyen, was sentenced to death and subsequently executed in Singapore a couple of years ago,” he said.


“We have no doubt that many people will be just as strongly opposed to the execution of Australian citizens this time around,” he said.


Archbishop Bathersby launched the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council’s death penalty paper at St Joseph’s Church, Corinda, last December.


“It is important to remind Catholics of Archbishop Bathersby’s warning that we have to be consistent in our opposition to the death penalty,” he said.


“At the launch of the death penalty paper last year, Archbishop Bathersby insisted that we have to oppose the death penalty being imposed, not only on Australians, but on people of every nationality,” he said.


“Neither Scott Rush nor the Bali Bombers should face the firing squad,” he said.


“Justice demands that serious crimes should result in serious sentences, but this should fall short of capital punishment,” he said.


The Commission’s campaign will run until Easter and will seek to engage Catholics in letter writing, petition signing, sending e-mails and prayer vigils.


“We will end this particular campaign on 25 March which is the anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s 1995 encyclical, Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), which includes teaching against the death penalty,” Mr Arndt said. ( see the action page for this campaign on the menu on the right hand side of this page)


“The Commission urges Catholics to think about what they can do to promote the Gospel of Life in our region,” he said.

For further information, please contact Peter Arndt on (07) 3336 9173 or 0409 265 476.

NB This release is issued with the approval of the Commission or its Executive under the provision of its Charter which enables it to speak in its own right. The views expressed in it do not necessarily represent the views of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.