The Virginia bishops said they "welcome with gratitude" the April 20 decision by Virginia Gov Terry McAuliffe to commute the death sentence of Ivan Teleguz.
"We are all children of the same merciful, loving God, and he alone has dominion over all life," said Bishop Francis DiLorenzo of Richmond and Michael Burbidge of Arlington in an April 20 statement released by the Virginia Catholic Conference.
The bishops said they have a "profound respect for the sanctity of every human life, from its very beginning until natural death" and they "continue to express deep sorrow and pray for all victims of violence and their loved ones."
