Sisters Lobby Against the Death Penalty

Sisters Joan Filla and Margaret Guzzardo, Missouri State Representative Jim Murphy, Sister Marion Weinzapfel and a fellow MADP volunteer.
Sisters Joan Filla and Margaret Guzzardo, Missouri State Representative Jim Murphy, Sister Marion Weinzapfel and a fellow MADP volunteer.

Four Sisters of St. Joseph traveled to the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City to advocate for change.

Sisters Marion Weinzapfel, Margaret Guzzardo, Joan Filla and Kristina DeNeve spent a meaningful day at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City on Feb. 6, joining Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty for their Lobby Day. After gathering in the third-floor rotunda to prepare, our sisters and other concerned citizens met with several legislators to advocate for ending the death penalty in Missouri, speaking in favor of seven bills and offering opposition to three bills.

The day brought encouraging signs of progress. S. Marion, attending her first advocacy day at the Capitol, shared some promising news: "I was gratified to hear Rep. Jim Murphy say that House Bill (HB) 118 will get a hearing. Archbishop Rozanski will come and speak at that hearing, and Rep. Murphy believes there's general support for this bill. This may be the year that the death penalty will be repealed!"

S. Joan noted another positive development, reporting that "the bill to completely abolish the death penalty in Missouri is out of committee with only one committee member opposing."

For S. Kristina, the day offered a chance to put our community's values into action. "Talking with legislators about an issue our community cares about is a dream come true for me," she reflected. "And it was so very affirming to see our democracy in action!"

The sisters met with several lawmakers and several legislative aides throughout the day, including:

  • Senator Steven Roberts sponsored SB 36 to compensate persons incarcerated who were wrongfully convicted. The bill was voted out of committee and will go to the floor of the Senate.
  • Representative Jim Murphy (St. Louis County; sponsor of HB 118 to repeal the death penalty)
  • Representative Bill Allen (North Kansas City)
  • Legislative aide to Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman, who introduced Senate Bill 225. The bill removes death as an option for the court to declare as punishment in cases when the jury cannot decide or agree upon the punishment.

Working alongside Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty, our sisters demonstrated that speaking directly with legislators remains one of the most effective ways to influence policy change. As Sister Joan summed up the experience: "What a day of learning!"

Working alongside Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty, our sisters demonstrated that speaking directly with legislators remains one of the most effective ways to influence policy change. As Sister Joan summed up the experience: "What a day of learning!"

We invite you to keep our efforts to end the death penalty in your prayers as we continue to work against this inhumane, unjust sentence. SEVEN bills to limit/repeal and only THREE to expand also gives an idea of where the state is these days!