Can the Death Penalty be Justified?

[papajohn2013]

I understand that as Catholics it is our duty to respect all life, but when it comes to cases involving serial murderers, rapists, and others who are guility of crimes of the most evil character, why does the Church oppose the death penalty? If a criminal is placed in jail for the rest of their life, a large amount of money is spent on them that could have gone to the poor or other innocents in need. Is this enough to justify the use of capital punishment

 

[Devon_Caffran]

The following link should assist you in better understanding the Catholic Church’s teaching on the death penalty. If you have any further questions or concerns that are not answered by these links, please [contact Catholic Answers (http://www.catholic.com/home/contact.asp) directly.
**Recommended Reading:
**

• How can I explain Church teaching on the death penalty?
• ** What is the Church’s teaching on capital punishment?**
• ** Is there any situation in which it is morally correct to use the death penalty?**