Idaho’s Catholic Church Speaks Out in Opposition of Firing Squad

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise has spoken out against a bill passed by the Idaho legislature and signed by Idaho Governor Brad Little.

The bill, driven and sponsored by Idaho Republicans not only reinforces the State of Idaho's implementation of the firing squad as means of capital punishment--but prioritizes the method as the State of Idaho's primary manner to execute those sentenced to death.

You may recall that after a failed attempt to execute Thomas Creech, a convicted murderer in Idaho, last year, Peter Christiansen, Bishop of the Diocese of Boise wrote:

As Christians, we are called to oppose the culture of death by witnessing to the Gospel of life. Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy (Mt 5:7). In the light of the Gospel of mercy and hope, our response to the death penalty is not based on who Thomas Creech is, but rather on who we are in Christ.

The botched execution was the State of Idaho's first attempt at capital punishment in nearly 12-years.

The topic of capital punishment has since, been very topical among Idaho Catholics.

While the firing squad passed as an acceptable means of execution two years ago--this legislative session (2025), Idaho Republicans pushed to make the firing squad the State's primary method of execution.

The bill accomplishing such passed the legislature and was signed by Governor Brad Little.

Little made his support of the bill no secret, saying:

I have long made clear my sup­port of cap­i­tal punishment

Only 3 republicans voted against the measure--along with all Idaho Democrats.

Over the past few weeks, Catholics in Idaho have mourned the loss of Pope Francis who championed a strong and clear stance against any form of capital punishment--making the Catholic Church's opposition unquestionable.

Faithful may also remember Pope Francis' visit to the United States in 2015, during which he addressed United States Congress and pushed for the abolishment of the death penalty on the grounds that it simply is not "pro-life".

Now, we've learned that Bishop Peter Christensen has once again spoken out against the State of Idaho.

Posted on March 13th,  Bishop Christensen wrote:

As the Catechism of the Catholic Church makes clear, there is an increasing awareness that a person's dignity is not lost even after committing grave crimes. More effective systems of detention have been developed, ensuring the protection of citizens while avoiding definitively depriving the guilty of the possibility of redemption. The Church teaches in the light of the Gospel that the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person, and the Church works with determination for its abolition worldwide

Will the State of Idaho listen to Catholic leadership?

Public record filings show that the Diocese of Boise hopes so--enough to have a registered lobbyist in the State.

Interestingly enough, however, State of Idaho records from the Lobbyist Reporting Database indicate that the Diocese of Boise lobbied in support of the Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit, the Abortion Civil Cause of Action, and the Idaho Medical Freedom Act.

Records show the Diocese of Boise did NOT lobby in opposition of anything--including House Bill 37--firing squad.

Read House Bill 37, HERE.

Read the complete statement from Bishop Peter Christensen, HERE.