Can you explain the church teaching on Capital Punishment?

[polejockey]

In our discussion today one of the men said that Capital Punishment was declared a Mortal sin by both Pope Saint John Paul II and Pope Francis. I know that they oppose Capital Punishment for obvious reasons but thought that they stopped short of declaring it a mortal sin. Which is correct?

 

[Devon_Caffran]

The following links 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:

• Could you please tell me where Scripture backs up the Catholic teaching on the death penalty?
• Catholic Teaching on the Death Penalty
• Is the death penalty permissible for criminals who are violent in prison?
• Death Penalty Answer Incomplete
• Open or Closed?

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