U.S.
Poll: Support for death penalty dips to minority among U.S. adults for first time in decades
WASHINGTON — Support for the death penalty among U.S. adults has dropped below the majority level for the first time since 1971, a new Gallup poll found. Forty-nine percent of U.S. adults said they are in favor of the death penalty for convicted murderers, while another 45% said they are opposed, the Nov. 10 poll said. The new poll marks the first time support for the practice has been below the majority level since 1971, when it was also at 49%. Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, executive director of Catholic Mobilizing Network, said, “These results are a clear indication that fewer and fewer people are buying the false rhetoric that the death penalty is effective or fair.” Gallup said the findings reflect a poll conducted Oct. 1-19, which began the day after the failed execution of Tennessee death-row inmate Christa Pike. Also during that timeframe, President Donald Trump called off Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s plans to livestream the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan by firing squad in December. The plan was met with widespread condemnation, including from U.S. bishops. California recently commuted the sentences of all death-row inmates to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. (OSV News)
‘Decisive action’ needed at UN climate conference, say Catholic leaders
WASHINGTON — Ahead of the United Nations’ annual climate conference, two U.S. Catholic bishops and the leader of a top Catholic aid agency are calling for decisive action in protecting humanity and the planet it calls home. “The global Church continues to witness the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor,” said Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre of Louisville, Kentucky; Bishop A. Elias Zaidan of the St. Louis-based Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles; and Sean Callahan, president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services. Archbishop Fabre is chair of the U.S. Catholic bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, while Bishop Zaidan heads up the bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace. Callahan leads the bishops’ official overseas humanitarian and development agency. Their joint statement was issued Nov. 6; the U.N.’s COP31 is taking place Nov. 9-20 in Antalya, Turkey. Discussions of curbing global warming, moving away from fossil fuels and funding nations most impacted by climate change must be matched by concrete steps, the statement said. (OSV News)
WORLD
Polish Church mourns after mass shooting in Krakow’s Main Market Square
KRAKOW, Poland — Six people were killed and 15 wounded Nov. 7 when a gunman opened fire at random passersby in Krakow’s Main Market Square, turning one of Europe’s best-known pilgrimage and tourist destinations into a scene of terror. The attack began shortly after 3 p.m., when a 25-year-old Polish man drove into the square and opened fire, according to police. Authorities later recovered additional firearms and ammunition from his vehicle. The suspect, who was wounded and arrested by police, had also allegedly killed his parents and sister before traveling to Krakow. As shock spread across Poland, Cardinal Grzegorz Rys urged residents not to give in to fear or indifference. “We do not want to be, we cannot be, and we are simply unable to be indifferent at a time like this. We want, we need, and we must stand together,” he said, calling for prayers and a special Mass at St. Mary’s Basilica overlooking the square. Church leaders across the country expressed solidarity with victims and families. European leaders also condemned the attack, while investigators continued searching for a motive. Authorities said the suspect reportedly held radical far-right views. (OSV News)
Red Week highlights persecuted Christians, religious freedom
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The papal charity Aid to the Church in Need is calling on U.S. parishes, schools and families to join in marking Red Week, an international campaign for persecuted Christians. The Nov. 15-22 observance will combine prayer and events highlighting the global scope of Christian persecution. In late October, ACN released “Persecuted and Forgotten? A Report on Christians Oppressed for Their Faith 2024-26,” which found deteriorating conditions for Christians in 55% of 18 countries studied from 2024-2026. According to ACN — which has worked since 1947 to support the Church in areas where it is fragile or under attack — religious freedom is “seriously violated” in 62 of 196 countries, with an estimated 220 million Christians “directly exposed to persecution.” U.S. participants can register for Red Week at here. (OSV News)
