SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — A leading group of Latino evangelicals has called for an end to state-sanctioned capital punishment, the first national association of evangelicals to do so.
In a unanimous vote March 27 the National Latino Evangelical Coalition urged its 3,000 member congregations to end capital punishment across the country.
“As Christ-followers we are called to work toward justice for all,” said coalition president Gabriel Salguero. “And as Latinos we know too well that justice is not always even-handed.”
Salguero said the decision came after a years-long discernment process that included prayer and dialogue with anti-death penalty groups like Equal Justice USA (EJUSA) since at least 2013.
EJUSA executive director Shari Silberstein said, “EJUSA has found that evangelicals are eager to take another look at this issue, reflecting what we’re seeing in the country as a whole.”
American support for the death penalty has hit the lowest levels in 40 years and a 2014 poll by Barna Group showed Christian support for the practice also is waning.
(RNS)
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