When Nebraska lawmakers repealed the death penalty three years ago over the strong objections of Gov. Pete Ricketts, the governor–a Roman Catholic Republican–used his family fortune to help bankroll a referendum to reinstate capital punishment. After a contentious battle, voters restored the death penalty in 2016. This month, Nebraska is scheduled to execute convicted murderer Carey Dean Moore in what would be the state’s first execution in 21 years,the New York Times reports.
Protesters have been holding daily vigils outside the governor’s mansion to oppose Moore’s execution. Pope Francis this week declared that executions are unacceptable in all cases, a shift from earlier church doctrine that had accepted the death penalty if it was “the only practicable way” to defend lives. Coming only days before the Aug. 14 execution here, the pope’s stance seemed to create an awkward position for Ricketts, who is favored to win a bid for re-election this fall. Ricketts, who has said that he viewed his position on the death penalty as compatible with Catholicism, said on Thursday that, “While I respect the pope’s perspective, capital punishment remains the will of the people and the law of the state of Nebraska. It is an important tool to protect our corrections officers and public safety. The state continues to carry out the sentences ordered by the court.” Nebraska’s Catholic bishops urged people to contact state officials to stop the scheduled execution of Moore and cited the pope. “Simply put, the death penalty is no longer needed or morally justified in Nebraska,” the bishops wrote.