A “powerful witness” against the death penalty

By Jill Ragar Esfeld
jill.esfeld@theleaven.org

Kansas City, Kan.-Er is generally known for his leadership in the Pro-Life movement in this country.

Pro-life interest representation in the Catholic Church, however, is not limited to the opposition to abortion.

Donna Schneeweis, CEO of the Kansa Coalition against the death penalty, is based on the support of Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann in her attorney against the death penalty.

“He is a very powerful witness,” she said.

The archbishop was able to give so convincing testimony against the death penalty because, as the son of a murder victim, he has a unique understanding of the difficulties that, after the loss of a loved one, get into a brutal crime.

He also understands that taking another life does not heal the pain, but often bothers the anger.

Fred Naumann was 31 years old when he was murdered. He left a little son who was named after him, and his wife was expecting another son who would be called Joseph.

This tragic family history has shaped the archbishop's opinions on human dignity – from unborn to the disadvantaged, from the frail to those in the death cell.

As chairman of the Committee for Pro-Life activities of the US Catholic Bishops' Conference, he called for a standstill to stand up to federal executions that had been resumed as part of the first Trump administration.

In an interview with “EWTN Pro-Life Weekly” in 2021, Archbishop Naumann claimed that we were all made according to the image of God, and Jesus came to redeem everyone, even the violent criminal.

“Out of the cross, [Jesus] I still forgive his heneras, “he said.

The archbishop, who thinks about the murder of his own father, said: “It was a tragedy that influenced the trajectory of our family life for decades.”

Despite this tragedy, his mother Louise Naumann kept a deep belief – and raised the archbishop and his older brother to have the same belief.

“I think what I really learned from my mother was not to be consumed with anger,” he said. “And I am so grateful to her because she never focused on my brother and me.

“She wanted us to never take on the role of a victim.”

Sister Therese Bangert, coordinator of social justice for the sisters of the charity organization of Leavenworth, said that the archbishop, only because of his impressive stature, addresses a certain attention.

“When he comes to the legislator, there is a presence there,” she said. “And when he was asked to support the efforts to get rid of the death penalty as a law in our state, he always replied.”

Sister Therese is grateful for the willingness of the Archbishop to speak of personal experience.

“People are vulnerable when they share these stories,” she said. “I don't care how long it is, this is still part of his life, which is a painful wound.

“Nevertheless, he was ready to share this over the years.”

The archbishop never suspected to speak for all victims of the murder in order to work to abolish the death penalty.

“It is not my intention to minimize the pain and loss of individuals and families who have suffered the death of a loved one due to a violent crime,” he said in a video published by the Catholic mobilization network.

He claims that the solution is more support for victims of violent crimes.

His mother had a supporting family and a strong community to get started to help when his father was killed.

“We have to do the same for every mother,” he said.

The archbishop recognizes the responsibility of the criminal justice system to prevent the inspection of more brutal crimes.

However, he said that in the United States “we have the ability to protect society from violent criminals without using the death penalty.”

Archbishop Naumann often complained to carry out an innocent person. On July 1, 2024, Larry Roberts in California became the 200th person who has been relieved from the death wing since 1973.

He also indicates the revival of families in the midst of lengthy appeals and the costs of maintaining this appeal procedure.

This in itself creates a problem with social injustice.

“Those with the financial means to employ the most qualified lawyers to defend their defense are much less executed than the poor,” he said.

Schneech saw the archbishop's activities in front of the legislator, testimony and spoke at press conferences and observed the public witnesses.

“As a family member of a murderpot,” she said, “it is about not being vengeful, but to offer another vision for the world as it is to go this trip that he and his brother had to run.

“There is a possibility of how you can do it that does not require any further death.”

The Catholic mobilization network (CMN) is a movement based on national faith that works through education, lawyers and prayer for restorative justice. His slogan reads: “End the death penalty, the previous tracking, start healing.” CMN works closely with the US conference of the Catholic bishops. To join the network, go online: Catholicsmobilizing.org and click on “Engagement”.