Helen Prejean
Helen Prejean
Helen Prejean, C.S.J.is a Roman Catholic nun, a member of the Congregation of St. Joseph and a leading American advocate for the abolition of the death penalty...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionClergyman
Date of Birth21 April 1939
CountryUnited States of America
allowing citizens country deepest dignity government human
Allowing our government to kill citizens compromises the deepest moral values upon which this country was conceived: the inviolable dignity of human persons.
government citizens death-penalty
Government ... can't be trusted to control its own bureaucrats or collect taxes equitably or fill a pothole, much less decide which of its citizens to kill.
believe government punishment
If we believe that murder is wrong and not admissible in our society, then it has to be wrong for everyone, not just individuals but governments as well.
speaks-out government citizens
I realize that I cannot stand by silently as my government executes its citizens. If I do not speak out and resist, I am an accomplice.
government feelings sorting-out
In sorting out my feelings and beliefs, there is, however, one piece of moral ground of which I am absolutely certain: if I were to be murdered I would not want my murderer executed. I would not want my death avenged. Especially by government--which can't be trusted to control its own bureaucrats or collect taxes equitably or fill a pothole, much less decide which of its citizens to kill.
eventually matter
The important thing is that when you come to understand something you act on it, no matter how small that act is. Eventually it will take you where you need to go.
death deeply people reflect suffer
Most people do not reflect deeply on the death penalty, and if you suffer doubts, you are not alone,
witty pain self
Remorse presupposes enough self-forgetfulness to feel the pain ofothers.
forgiveness forgiving divine
To err is human, to forgive is divine.
death baby time
Time rushes by and yet time is frozen. Funny how we get so exact about time at the end of life and at its beginning. She died at 6:08 or 3:46, we say, or the baby was born at 4:02. But in between we slosh through huge swatches of time--weeks, months, years, decades even.
stronger vengeance mercy
Mercy is "stronger and more God-like than vengeance".
writing waiting silence
Writing is like praying, because you stop all other activities, descend into silence, and listen patiently to the depths of your soul, waiting for true words to come. When they do, you thank God because you know the words are a gift, and you write them down as honestly and cleanly as you can.
fitness-motivational important matter
The important thing is that when your come to understand something you act on it, no matter how small that act is. Eventually it will take you where you need to go.
grace trying needs
When you try, God is there and you get the grace you need to get you through.