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Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, Capital punishment, Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus', Eastern Orthodox Church, Jesus

New: Patriarch Kirill of Moscow Calls for Moratorium on Death Penalty

Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, has called for a moratorium on the death penalty in Russia.

In a statement released on Thursday, Patriarch Kirill said that the death penalty is “not in keeping with the principles of humanity and mercy” and that it “does not deter crime.”

He also said that the death penalty is “irreversible” and that there is always the possibility of executing an innocent person.

Patriarch Kirill's call for a moratorium on the death penalty comes as Russia is considering a bill that would abolish the death penalty.

The bill was introduced in the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, in January 2023. It is currently being considered by a committee of the Duma.

If the bill is passed by the Duma, it will then be sent to the Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian parliament.

If the bill is passed by the Federation Council, it will then be signed into law by President Vladimir Putin.

The death penalty is currently legal in Russia, but it is rarely used.

In 2022, there were only two executions in Russia.

Patriarch Kirill's call for a moratorium on the death penalty is supported by many human rights groups.

Amnesty International, a human rights organization, has called on Russia to abolish the death penalty.

Human Rights Watch, another human rights organization, has also called on Russia to abolish the death penalty.

The death penalty is a controversial issue in Russia.

Some people believe that the death penalty is a just punishment for certain crimes.

Others believe that the death penalty is cruel and unusual punishment.

The debate over the death penalty is likely to continue in Russia for some time.