Moore was sentenced to death for fatally shooting James Mahoney, a convenience store worker, in 1999 in Spartanburg. 

 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “the dignity of the person is not lost even after the commission of very serious crimes” (2267). It goes on to quote Pope Francis: “… 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 she works with determination for its abolition worldwide.” 

As Catholics, we continue to work for the protection of all human life from conception to natural death. No one is beyond the saving power of Jesus, and we have faith in his everlasting mercy and longing to be reunited with all souls. 

The Catholic Conference asks for prayers for Richard Moore, the repose of James Mahoney's soul, for Gov. Henry McMaster to issue a stay of execution and have mercy, and for the South Carolina Supreme Court to preserve all human life.