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Life & Family

Bishop Spalding of Nashville opposes capital punishment after failed execution

First source report

Catholic IntelligenceUpdated 1 min read

Bishop J. Mark Spalding of Nashville expressed opposition to capital punishment following a failed execution attempt at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution on September 30. Two doses of pentobarbital failed to kill Christa Pike, a 50-year-old inmate convicted of a 1995 murder.

Spalding stated that no execution can be considered humane and noted that medicine is intended to heal, relieve suffering, and preserve life. He said the lack of transparency regarding execution procedures raises questions about the reliability of drugs used and the training of those performing the medical interventions. He added that withholding this information prevents lawyers from seeking meaningful judicial review of the methods used.

The bishop, who previously joined the bishops of Memphis and Knoxville in asking Governor Bill Lee to spare Pike, reaffirmed his stance against the death penalty while acknowledging the victim's family. Following the incident, Governor Lee suspended all executions for the remainder of the year and ordered an independent investigation.

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Earlier version, Thursday 8 October

Bishop Spalding of Nashville opposes death penalty after failed execution

Earlier version, Tuesday 6 October

Bishop Spalding of Nashville says no execution can be called humane after failed lethal injection

Earlier version, Sunday 4 October

Bishop Spalding opposes lethal injection after failed execution

Earlier version, Saturday 3 October

Bishop Spalding of Nashville comments on failed execution of Christa Pike

How the coverage unfolded

  1. Oct 1, 9:19 PM The Catholic Weekly Tennessee halts executions after death row inmate survives lethal injection attempt
  2. Oct 2, 10:56 AM Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend Tennessee Catholic bishops join call for clemency for inmate who survived execution attempt
  3. Oct 2, 3:28 AM Stacja7 Polski Christa Pike przeżyła egzekucję, wróciła dyskusja o karze śmierci. Czy katolik może ją popierać?
  4. Oct 2, 4:09 AM Vatican News Svenska Avrättningen av Christa Pike. Sant’Egidio-kommuniteten: Kollaps av mänsklighet
  5. Oct 3, 3:34 AM Agenzia SIR Italiano Christa Pike survives lethal injection. Bishop Spalding (Nashville): “No execution can be called humane”
  6. Sep 30, 11:36 PM La Croix Français États-Unis : l’exécution de Christa Pike, première femme devant être mise à mort depuis 2023, a échoué
  7. Oct 1, 11:50 PM Vatican News Italiano Esecuzione di Christa Pike, Marazziti: "È la bancarotta del senso di umanità"
  8. Oct 2, 1:04 AM Vatican News Português Execução de Christa Pike nos EUA: “é a falência do senso de humanidade”
  9. Oct 2, 2:04 AM Alfa y Omega Español La monja de Pena de muerte denuncia la «crueldad» de la ejecución fallida de Christa Pike
  10. Oct 2, 10:05 PM Vatican News Polski Egzekucja Christy Pike w USA, Marazziti: „To bankructwo ludzkości"
  11. Oct 2, 11:25 PM Agenzia SIR Italiano Christa Pike sopravvive all’iniezione letale. Mons. Spalding (Nashville): “Nessuna esecuzione può dirsi umana”
  12. Oct 3, 10:35 PM Newsbook Malti Eżekuzzjoni tfalli fl-Istati Uniti u priġuniera tibqa’ ħajja wara żewġ injezzjonijiet
  13. Oct 5, 4:45 AM Opoka Polski Nieudana egzekucja Christy Pike stawia na nowo pytania o moralną ocenę kary śmierci
  14. Oct 5, 5:18 AM Vida Nueva Español La fallida ejecución de Christa Pike reabre el debate sobre la pena de muerte en Estados Unidos
  15. Oct 5, 6:28 AM Catholic Review Tennessee halts executions after death row inmate survives lethal injection attempt
  16. Oct 6, 12:40 PM Catholic News Agency Tennessee bishops call for end to death penalty; Trump approves military firing squad execution
  17. Oct 7, 2:04 AM Famiglia Cristiana Italiano Christa Pike, il corpo che la pena di morte non ha spento è tornato a vivere, e a parlare
  18. Oct 8, 4:43 AM Rome Reports Two Failed Doses of Lethal Injection Spark More Debate Over Death Penalty in Tennessee

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