Archbishop Coakley receives award for anti-death penalty advocacy

Archbishop Paul Coakley received the Archbishop Fiorenza Dignity and Life Award from the Catholic Mobilizing Network on Oct. 21. The ceremony took place during the Justice Reimagined Awards and Celebration at the apostolic nunciature in Washington, D.C.

The award is named after Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza of Galveston-Houston, a civil rights advocate and death penalty abolitionist. Coakley, who serves as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, noted his admiration for Fiorenza's work and principles.

During his acceptance speech, Coakley said his time in the United States has increased his focus on advocating for those on death row. He urged the Church and the nation to recognize the inhumanity of executions performed in their name. Coakley has a history of opposing the death penalty, including in Oklahoma and in an Oct. 9 statement where he criticized the Trump administration's plan to livestream the military execution of Nidal Hasan.