Bishops policy conference will discuss death penalty in Texas

The Texas Catholic Conference, the policy arm of the bishops of Texas, will host a discussion entitled "Journey to Mercy: Rethinking the Death Penalty in Texas" on Friday, Oct. 23, at the Texas Capitol Auditorium from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Marietta Jeager-Lane, from a Journey of Hope, will be the luncheon keynote speaker. She will relate her grief as the mother of a murder victim to finding forgiveness for the attacker.

"Uncertainty about the fairness and morality of capital punishment is forcing new discussions about reforms in Texas," the Texas Catholic Conference said in a news release.

The conference offers a wide-ranging policy discussion to evaluate the past and the future of the death penalty in Texas. Panel topics include: how the death penalty is applied in Texas and its fiscal and social effects; systemic failures, wrongful convictions, and fairness of capital punishment; and finding moral alternatives and ensuring justice for victims.

Other speakers include Texas Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville; former governor Mark White; Steve Mims, the filmmaker who produced the documentary film "Incendiary," about the Cameron Todd Willingham case; Deacon Richard Lopez, former death chamber chaplain; and Karen Clifton, Catholic Mobilizing Network.

Attendance for the conference is free. While all are welcome, an RSVP is required in order to have an accurate count for lunch service and conference materials. For more information and to RSVP visit the Texas Catholic Conference web site.