A Catholic's right to Press Charges?

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I feel that, in cases where “the full extent of the law” is seen as excessive, then as citizens of a democracy, we have a duty to change those laws. But the full extent of the law is usually not going to be excessive I think.

It is a personal question if you desire vengeance. That is immoral. In fact, seeking remedies to wrongs through the law is pretty vanilla - it is a way of mitigating our worse impulses (that is what civilization does/is - a mitigation of our worse impulses).
 
TheDumbFox said:
Yes putting someone in jail for drunk driving for 5 years might be a good thing. But what good is ten years or twenty years?
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I think in reality the prisons are so full that convicted prisoners receive an initial sentence was too short for the crime, and then they have an early release as well.

Part of being a responsible adult is, if you make the decision to drink, make the decision ahead of time not to drive. Even better, offer to be the sober guy and bring everyone home safely.
 
Civilly and criminally, the same right as any other individual. Now, as to the morality of the situation, we are called to show mercy if we expect to obtain mercy. As well, the virtue of prudence applies.
 
Yeah I guess thats what I’m getting at. What role the virtue of Prudence and Mercy plays into the decision of wether or not a Catholic should press charges in some cases.
 
TheDumbFox said:
I was wondering about to what extent of a right a Catholic has to press charges on another person whose done them wrong?
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It would be a sin against man’s dignity to not hold him accountable for the grievous sins he has comitted.
 
Just because a sin is forgiven doesn’t mean that temporal punishment is remitted. In all of your instances, it doesn’t matter if you think it is just or not, since it isn’t your call, the state is the one to choose the sentence for the crime or to even decide what it considers crime, not the victim and not the perpetrator. If you as a victim don’t wish to press charges, that is your choice, but the state may or may not regardless of your wishes.
TheDumbFox said:
What right does a Catholic have to ruin somebody’s life, especially if the defendant is not a danger to society?
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It’s not the Catholic who ruined the perpetrator’s life. The perpetrator did that all on his own. Long and short of it all is if you don’t want to do the time, don’t commit the crime.

For princes are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good: and thou shalt have praise from the same. [4] For he is God’s minister to thee, for good. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is God’s minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil.
 
It is essentially the same as Purgatory. The sin is forgiven by God (or you in the example) but there is still the temporal consequence for the sin which needs to be payed. So if a rapist rapes you and you forgive him does that mean he should be set free or undergo the consequence for that violation against you?

Peace and God Bless
Nicene
 
Yeah, in my opinion, charging in the case of rape would be necessary as that person might rape again, and is therefore a danger to others. But I still think that the Catholic victim should not try to put the person in jail for 30+ years in some cases. Am I to think that a person can’t learn to not rape with only a ten year sentence? You see what i’m trying to say? Not saying that there aren’t cases where 30+ years in jail is necessary or just.
 
You are assuming the roles of Judge and Jury, not to mention the Prosecutor. Frankly those aren’t the jobs of the one reporting the crime. The victim doesn’t get to decide the sentence. That is true of all crimes, not just rape. If you don’t want them sentenced then forgive them and don’t report the crime. That’s up to you but there is no sin in reporting the crime, which was your original question.

Peace and God
Bless
 
TheDumbFox said:
But I still think that the Catholic victim should not try to put the person in jail for 30+ years in some cases. Am I to think that a person can’t learn to not rape with only a ten year sentence?
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Pretty much.
 
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