Pope's representative asks Hutchinson to end scheduled executions

In a letter to Gov. Asa Hutchinson dated Sunday, a personal representative of Pope Francis asks the governor to commute the death sentences of eight state prisoners whose executions are scheduled through January.

Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, speaking on behalf of the pope as the Vatican nuncio in Washington, said the Catholic church considers capital punishment "unacceptable" and "an offense to the inviolability of life."

"As part of the church's ancient teaching on the dignity of the human person, the Holy Father has advocated for 'the establishment of a universal moratorium on executions throughout the world, in order to abolish capital punishment,'" the letter reads in part.

A copy of the letter was also sent to the Arkansas Parole Board and the Most Rev. Anthony B. Taylor, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock.

A request for comment from Hutchinson's office was not immediately returned Friday morning.

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen is weighing a lawsuit filed by state prisoners on death row challenging a state law that allows secrecy regarding execution drugs.

Griffen is likely to decide next week whether the case, which could delay planned executions, will move forward.

Upcoming Events