SECTION: RELIGION; Pg. 1

LENGTH: 413 words

HEADLINE: Bishops want justice system reform

SOURCE: Staff

BYLINE: RICHARD VARA, Houston Chronicle Religion Editor

BODY:
The nation's Roman Catholic bishops are calling for a sweeping reform of the nation's criminal justice system.

The issue is one of several that will come before the National Conference of Catholic Bishops when they meet next week in Washington, D.C.

The 290 bishops from across the country also will take up proposals to change U.S. immigration laws and policies.

Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza of the Galveston-Houston Diocese said bishops will renew their repeated calls for abolition of the death penalty or, at the least, a moratorium. "We are asking for the whole (criminal justice) system to be overhauled," said Fiorenza, who is serving his third year as president of the conference. "We are working to have a moratorium on all executions so that we can review our whole legal system so we can be sure it is fair and just."

The bishops want an examination of both federal and state prison systems.

"Are they there just to incarcerate people," Fiorenza asked, "or do they work toward some type of rehabilitation, particularly with people who have drug habits and things of that nature?"

Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles, who chaired a criminal justice study committee for the bishops, said they consulted chaplains, judges, victims and their advocates, wardens, ex-offenders and other experts.

"Despite their different perspectives, they all agree that the current system is in need of a fresh approach," Mahony said in a statement. "(An approach) that offers real rehabilitation for offenders, takes seriously the concerns of victims and restores communities affected by crime."

Immigration law reform will be high on their agenda, Fiorenza said.

"We want to be sure our immigration laws are fair and honest," he said. "We want our immigration officials to consider unification of families as a very important priority."

The bishops' Monday-Thursday meeting is expected to attract a protest led by Soulforce, the same gay-rights activist group that staged nonviolent demonstrations at several Protestant denominational meetings this year. Soulforce plans to protest the church's position that homosexuality is immoral. Joining the protest will be Dignity/USA, a Catholic gay-rights group, and Equal Partners in Faith, a group of ministers and laity committed to equality and diversity.

The protesters will hold a silent vigil Monday afternoon at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. They will return for a demonstration Tuesday morning.



GRAPHIC: Photo: Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza is president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (color); Associated Press

TYPE: -LINKS-

LOAD-DATE: November 12, 2000