There are two points I would like to make concerning Bishops and their capital punishment desires.
- BISHOPS - RIGHT OR WRONG - THEY ARE ALL WE GOT - LEARN TO LIVE WITH IT
Collegiality is the name of the game. It works like this: you don’t mess with what I am doing and I will not mess with what your do. It can’t get much simpler than that.
This concept pushed to the limits, as has been done by the American Bishops, does not provide for systematic accountability. Each Bishop is free to do as they choose, independently or collectively as they desire.
You may argue that the Pope is in charge and you would be right. The authority is not the question. The question: is authority a reality, if time is not a factor?
Note by this example: Vatican II found it would be beneficial if liturgy was changed from Latin to the vernacular. It has taken the Vatican 40 years to get the American Bishops to address the liturgical problems caused by poor translation (or hidden agenda) and carried out under their supervision. Latin is a dead language and has been for many, many years. What was said in the15th century is exactly what would be said today.
Papal instructions were given to the American Bishops to correct the text to conform to the Latin text. This task has taken 10 years. If you tried a stunt like this in a High School Latin class, you would most likely be booted out.
- Let me clarify my position concerning the death penalty.
I do not believe in the death penalty as it is practiced in this country. It is too expensive AND AS GENERALLY PRACTICED, I BELIEVE IT IS AGAINST CURRENT LAW.
What corrective values are there by putting a man on death row and keep him there 20 to 40 years. The extended times for cases is closer to the norm than the exception. I believe States that have sentenced a guilty party and have allowed the time to just go on and on in reality have sentenced the guilty twice for one crime. The person receives the death penalty as a primary sentence and then by its actions and the actions of the Courts, causes a de facto sentence to life in prison. This is double jeopardy and is not permissible in our society - or is it?
As I said before, Jesus came to die for our sins. Without capital punishment, there would have been no salvation for any of us.
I believe Jesus to be a considerably more moral person than I. Therefore, I yield to Him in all issues concerning morality. He has stated there are cases where the death penalty is a just course of action. I believe him. Since I believe Him, why would I listen to Bishops or their representatives speak against what the Lord has already said to be truth?
I admire the social activities of the Bishops, even when they are totally wrong. You see, since I am just a person, I am obliged to have a concept of obedience. The Bishops are not restrained by obedience because obedience flies in the face of collegiality.
John Devaney
