| Mount St. Mary’s University will host a groundbreaking conference this fall on Christian responses to the death penalty. The conference is endorsed by Catholic Education Ministries of Central Maryland, the Maryland Catholic Conference and the Frederick County NAACP. "This conference offers an opportunity to participate in a dialogue about how Christians should respond to the continuing practice of state executions in the United States and specifically in Maryland,” say Dr. Trudy Conway, conference organizer and professor of philosophy at Mount St. Mary’s University. “Families of murder victims, exonerated death row inmates, death row chaplains, and abolitionists will join participants in this day of interfaith dialogue. This one-day event should be invaluable for persons at all levels of reflection on this important social justice issue of our time." The conference will take place on Saturday, September 30, from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m, in the Knott Auditorium on the Mount campus. Cost for the conference is $10 and includes a continental breakfast, lunch and packet of materials. Attendees of “Witness & Action” will have the opportunity t • learn ways of supporting victims of violence and their families • learn firsthand about the way in which the death penalty in Maryland operates and the moral dilemma it poses • hear the inspirational stories of Catholics who witness a distinctly Christian response to the murder of family members • hear the powerful stories of transformation of exonerated death row inmates • hear the voices of the men on death row • hear powerful testimonials to the Christian message of reconciliation and restorative justice • learn how Mount St. Mary’s University has assumed a leadership role in promoting interfaith dialogue on the death penalty and will work with churches to promote witness and action on the death penalty. • explore creative possibilities for parish programming and initiatives on the death penalty "The work of our Mount students and faculty in promoting dialogue on the death penalty provides a powerful example of Christian faith in action,” says Dr. Conway. “This conference welcomes other Christians to join this dialogue. It is our hope that participants will then return to their churches to draw their local communities into ongoing dialogue about witnessing and acting as Christians in response to the death penalty. As Mount St. Mary's University moves towards its bicentennial celebration in 2008, this conference shows the leadership the institution takes in promoting the values and ideals central to the Christian understanding of human dignity and justice." For more information visit www.msmary.edu/deathpenalty or call 301-447-5368 to register. Witness & Action is a statewide conference sponsored by Mount St. Mary’s University and Callings, a Mount program of theological exploration funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc. | 
