Catholic Arguments For and Against the Death Penalty

[Ender]

This last quote from the Vatican II document is very interesting, and is something that I will be chewing on and praying on for a while. I haven’t read this document, nor have I encountered this particular aspect of the issue before.

The quote was from a book by Romano Amerio (Iota Unum), whose opinion is significant as he was included in Vatican II as a source of theological expertise.

domid.blogspot.com/2007/05/amerio-on-capital-punishment.html

Ender

 

[Ender]

My question was how do you reconcile it?

How do you say it is moral to do something “cruel and unnecessary”.

I have already alluded to how I reconcile it- church state vs secular state along with necessity to protect society.

Now how do you reconcile it.

I’ll have to get back to you on this. I’m traveling tomorrow, still have to pack, and probably won’t be back on until Sunday.

Ender

 

[LongingSoul]

The Church’s Anti-Death Penalty Position

The new evangelization calls for followers of Christ who are unconditionally pro-life: who will proclaim, celebrate and serve the Gospel of life in every situation. A sign of hope is the increasing recognition that the dignity of human life must never be taken away, even in the case of someone who has done great evil. . . . I renew the appeal I made . . . for a consensus to end the death penalty, which is both cruel and unnecessary.
—Pope John Paul II Papal Mass, St. Louis, Missouri, January 27, 1999

Twenty-five years ago, our Conference of bishops first called for an end to the death penalty. We renew this call to seize a new moment and new momentum. This is a time to teach clearly, encourage reflection, and call for common action in the Catholic community to bring about an end to the use of the death penalty in our land.
—USCCB, A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death

No matter how heinous the crime, if society can protect itself without ending a human life, it should do so.
—USCCB, A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death

While the Old Testament includes some passages about taking the life of one who kills, the Old Testament and the teaching of Christ in the New Testament call us to protect life, practice mercy, and reject vengeance.
—USCCB, A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death

When Cain killed Abel, God did not end Cain’s life. Instead, he sent Cain into exile, not only sparing his life but protecting it by putting a mark on Cain, lest anyone should kill him at sight (Gn 4:15).
—USCCB, A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death

When the state, in our names and with our taxes, ends a human life despite having non-lethal alternatives, it suggests that society can overcome violence with violence. The use of the death penalty ought to be abandoned not only for what it does to those who are executed, but for what it does to all of society.
—USCCB, A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death

Our faith and Catholic teaching offer a moral framework for choices about the use of the death penalty. A principled Catholic response to crime and punishment is rooted in our convictions about good and evil, sin and redemption, justice and mercy. It is also shaped by our commitment to the life and dignity of every human person, and the common good. The opening chapters of the Book of Genesis teach that every life is a precious gift from God (see Genesis 2:7, 21-23). This gift must be respected and protected.
—USCCB, A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death

Each of us is called to respect the life and dignity of every human being. Even when people deny the dignity of others, we must still recognize that their dignity is a gift from God and is not something that is earned or lost through their behavior. Respect for life applies to all, even the perpetrators of terrible acts. Punishment should be consistent with the demands of justice and with respect for human life and dignity.
—USCCB, A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death

In Catholic teaching the state has the recourse to impose the death penalty upon criminals convicted of heinous crimes if this ultimate sanction is the only available means to protect society from a grave threat to human life. However, this right should not be exercised when other ways are available to punish criminals and to protect society that are more respectful of human life.
—USCCB, A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death

[Punishment] ought not go to the extreme of executing the offender except in cases of absolute necessity: in other words, when it would not be possible otherwise to defend society. Today however, as a result of steady improvements in the organization of the penal system, such cases are very rare, if not practically non-existent. John Paul II, The Gospel of Life, [Punishment] ought not go to the extreme of executing the offender except in cases of absolute necessity: in other words, when it would not be possible otherwise to defend society. Today however, as a result of steady improvements in the organization of the penal system, such cases are very rare, if not practically non-existent.
—John Paul II, The Gospel of Life (Evangelium Vitae), 1995

If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect peoples safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and more in conformity with the dignity of the human person.
—The Catechism of the Catholic Church

For the Catholic community, this issue – like all life issues – is more than public policy. It involves our faith and the central principle that human life is sacred. Church teaching on the life and dignity of every human person should guide all our decisions about life, including the use of the death penalty. We are called to reflect on what the Lords command, You shall not kill (Ex 20:13) means for us today.
—USCCB, A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death

In his encyclical The Gospel of Life, Pope John Paul II told us that we have an inescapable responsibility of choosing to be unconditionally pro-life.18 This Catholic campaign brings us together for common action to end the use of the death penalty, to reject a culture of death, and to build a culture of life. It poses an old and fundamental choice: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live. (Dt 30:19)
—USCCB, A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death

That’s a thorough and convincing list. Allow me add to it.

"May the death penalty, an unworthy punishment still used in some countries, be abolished throughout the world." (Pope John Paul II Prayer at the Papal Mass at Regina Coeli Prison in Rome, July 9, 2000).

Continued…

 

[LongingSoul]

**2007 VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The death penalty “is not only a refusal of the right to life, but it also is an affront to human dignity,” the Vatican said in a position paper.

The paper was prepared for the Feb. 1-3 World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Paris and was released Feb. 7 by the Vatican press office.

“The Holy See takes this occasion to welcome and affirm again its support for all initiatives aimed at defending the inherent and inviolable value of all human life from conception to natural death,” it said.

Echoing the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the paper recognized the obligation of governments to protect their citizens, but it also said that “today it truly is difficult to justify” using the death penalty when other means of protection, including life imprisonment for murderers, are possible.

Citing appeals made by Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI for clemency for people condemned to die, the paper said the Vatican supported international campaigns to proclaim a universal moratorium on the use of capital punishment and the abolition of the death penalty worldwide.

It also noted concerns raised in many parts of the world over “recent executions,” obviously referring to the hanging of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and other former officials of Iraq.

“Consciences have been awakened by the need for a greater recognition of the inalienable dignity of human beings and by the universality and integrity of human rights, beginning with the right to life,” it said.

The paper said every decision to use the death penalty carries “numerous risks,” including “the danger of punishing innocent persons” and the possibility of “promoting violent forms of revenge rather than a true sense of social justice.”

A capital execution, it said, is “a clear offense against the inviolability of human life” and can contribute to “a culture of violence and death.”

“For Christians,” the Vatican said, “it also shows contempt for the Gospel teaching on forgiveness.”

While an execution “temporarily may alleviate an appetite for revenge,” it said, taking the life of the criminal makes it impossible to fulfill the obligation of justice, which calls for penalties that punish and may help rehabilitate an offender**.

The Pope to pilgrims at the international conference in Rome regarding use of the death penalty said he hopes that their deliberations “will encourage the political and legislative initiatives being promoted in a growing number of countries to eliminate the death penalty.” - Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI 30/11/11

**In a message to participants of the Fifth World Congress Against the Death Penalty held in Madrid, Pope Francis reiterated the Holy See’s support for “the abolition of the death penalty.”

Opposition to the death penalty is part of the Church’s defense of the dignity of human life, he said, and it is “a courageous reaffirmation of the conviction that humanity can successfully confront criminality” without resorting to the suppression of life.

In his message, which was signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Holy Father recalled that his predecessors Benedict XVI and John Paul II made similar pleas.

He asked that “capital sentences be commuted to a lesser punishment that allows for time and incentives for the reform of the offender.”

“Today, more than ever, it is urgent that we remember and affirm the need for universal recognition and respect for the inalienable dignity of human life, in its immeasurable value,” Cardinal Bertone wrote on behalf of Pope Francis.

The Holy Father, he added, sent his best wishes to the participants of the congress for a “fruitful development of their work.”

The director of the organization “Together Against the Death Penalty,” Rafael Chenuil Hazan, told EWTN News the Pope’s message was of great importance.

“We thank His Holiness for his support. It is important for us to receive a message of such importance from a man of peace,” he said. - 19/6/13**

There really is no quandry or need for discussion. We all know what the Catholic position on the death penalty is.

 

[LongingSoul]

My question was how do you reconcile it?

How do you say it is moral to do something “cruel and unnecessary”.

I have already alluded to how I reconcile it- church state vs secular state along with necessity to protect society.

Now how do you reconcile it.

Good luck getting an answer.

 

[LongingSoul]

I didn’t say you were a heretic (dissenting from church teaching)

But do you respect the church’s prudential judgement in this area?

To respect it seems you would do one of two things;

1. advocate for it and champion it
2. remain silent because you personally disagree

It certainly would not be respecting it to go to other Catholics and try to convince them the prudential judgement is in error.

That’s what I find curious and suspicious. My uncle who is a 55 year very traditional Priest has made mention over the years of post Vatican II teachings that he has had difficulty with. Never has he ever expressed an opinion amounting to the Church being wrong or contradictory to past Popes or past teachings. Every Catholic has these difficulties at some point. You accept your own limitations and pray for understanding. You would never in a million years go on a crusade to discredit the Church. That is so out of keeping with the Catholic way.

 

[LongingSoul]

This last quote from the Vatican II document is very interesting, and is something that I will be chewing on and praying on for a while. I haven’t read this document, nor have I encountered this particular aspect of the issue before. Thank you,

Steve

Hopefully you noted that that was not from a Vatican II document. Clever sneaky Ender at it again.

That is written in 2007 and is the personal opinion of Amerio.

 

[Jon_S_1]

This last quote from the Vatican II document is very interesting, and is something that I will be chewing on and praying on for a while. I haven’t read this document, nor have I encountered this particular aspect of the issue before. Thank you,

Steve

Consider in your chewing, that this quote is from a book written not at Vatican II, not as part of the council, not speaking for the council, and is not in any way a part of the Magesterial works of the church.

This is one lay man’s opinion, written in a book of which he criticizes Vatican II

He was found to be on the wrong side of history by being embraced by the SSPX and essentially shunned by the institutional church.

 

[Jon_S_1]

Hopefully you noted that that was not from a Vatican II document. Clever sneaky Ender at it again.

That is written in 2007 and is the personal opinion of Amerio.

WE were both fact checking at the same time…Finger Wags At Ender…

 

[LongingSoul]

WE were both fact checking at the same time…Finger Wags At Ender…

Ha ha. I’m quite familiar with the sneaky tactics after years of observing Ender!

I’ll correct myself and say that was written in the 80’s or 90’s but well after Vatican II of which he was highly critical.

 

[LokisMom]

The problem is, this is part of the current system, the one we have been assured includes “*the means at the State’s disposal to effectively repress crime by rendering inoffensive the one who has committed it”.

*Either the current system provides the protection claimed for it or it doesn’t.

Well then maybe the argument should be for more strict life sentences in cases of murder. Suggesting that the DP is needed because we don’t keep people in jail long enough, is silly. It’s much simpler to just say we should keep them in jail longer then, lol. You’re acting as though the only options are DP or release after a few years, and I don’t understand why you are doing that.

Is it not fair to ask if your solution would be to sentence every murderer to life without parole? Would you advocate that? Is that what you think JPII was advocating? And if they are not to be locked up forever but are to be released then you have to deal with the recidivism problem again where some number of innocent people will be murdered. What is your solution?

Ender

Whatever is necessary to keep society safe from dangerous people, is licit. The reason why the Popes of our Church are against the DP is because they do not believe it is necessary to keep society safe anymore. If life in prison is what it takes to keep the public safe, I have no idea why the popes would be against it. They never spoke out against it, so I have no reason to believe they would be against it.

 

[accitenor]

Well done, fellows! Since yesterday I have read dozens of beautiful explanations and quotes defending both the use of the death penalty and the possible solution of a life sentence.
However, the proponents of the latter failed to pledge their fortunes and savings to cover the cost to society of so many years of incarceration for those criminals and want to impose the expense on the public.
Is that fair?
Since the recidivism rate is so high, AND since those criminals DO hurt others in prison or teach others evil, AND since it costs more to house them for 50 or so years…why keep them alive?

 

[Jon_S_1]

Well done, fellows! Since yesterday I have read dozens of beautiful explanations and quotes defending both the use of the death penalty and the possible solution of a life sentence.
However, the proponents of the latter failed to pledge their fortunes and savings to cover the cost to society of so many years of incarceration for those criminals and want to impose the expense on the public.
Is that fair?
Since the recidivism rate is so high, AND since those criminals DO hurt others in prison or teach others evil, AND since it costs more to house them for 50 or so years…why keep them alive?

The same can be said for abortion. It is a far less burden on society to just kill the unwanted kids.

Are you for that?

Second, cost of incarceration a vs death row is insignificant. Just look at the hundreds of countries that do it without a problem.

 

[LongingSoul]

Well done, fellows! Since yesterday I have read dozens of beautiful explanations and quotes defending both the use of the death penalty and the possible solution of a life sentence.
However, the proponents of the latter failed to pledge their fortunes and savings to cover the cost to society of so many years of incarceration for those criminals and want to impose the expense on the public.
Is that fair?
Since the recidivism rate is so high, AND since those criminals DO hurt others in prison or teach others evil, AND since it costs more to house them for 50 or so years…why keep them alive?

I think that while there are 3000 odd prisoners on death row… only about 40 or 50 are executed each year. The big advantage the US has here, is the example of all those countries who have abolished the death penalty without seeing that escalation in crime or cost blowouts. When you think about the number executed… compared to the number maintained on death row for years in an unnatural type of system, you have to ask about what that is costing the taxpayer. The last person executed in Australia was arrested, tried, sentenced and hanged within a couple of months. The American system has special death rooms with teered seating in viewing galleries. Purpose built death beds. Expensive and difficult to get drugs to administer intraveneously and that’s just the tip of that iceburg. It’s an elaborate and costly affair when you piece together all that it involves.

 

[Jon_S_1]

I think that while there are 3000 odd prisoners on death row… only about 40 or 50 are executed each year. The big advantage the US has here, is the example of all those countries who have abolished the death penalty without seeing that escalation in crime or cost blowouts. When you think about the number executed… compared to the number maintained on death row for years in an unnatural type of system, you have to ask about what that is costing the taxpayer. The last person executed in Australia was arrested, tried, sentenced and hanged within a couple of months. The American system has special death rooms with teered seating in viewing galleries. Purpose built death beds. Expensive and difficult to get drugs to administer intraveneously and that’s just the tip of that iceburg. It’s an elaborate and costly affair when you piece together all that it involves.

Don’t forget years of legal battles paid for by the state.

 

[shelby_sun]

The same can be said for abortion. It is a far less burden on society to just kill the unwanted kids.

Are you for that?

Second, cost of incarceration a vs death row is insignificant. Just look at the hundreds of countries that do it without a problem.

Abortion is not the topic of this thread and not a suitable comparison as an unborn child has never physically hurt anyone and the pregnancy does not have to be a burden if the mother has a good perspective and plan, such as giving the baby up for adoption to a couple who cannot have children of their own.

I agree that putting a killer into a cage for 40 years seems inhuman and costly. Putting a killer to death allows God to do what he sees fit with that person, while the money spent on him in prison could go to those in need. The food spent on those prisoners could go to feed hungry children and elderly and the homeless.

I wonder how many of those who are against the death penalty would have shot and killed any of those killers at the time of the crime in order to save the lives of the victims. If you think about it God, allowed and used the death penalty in order for Christ to die on the cross to save our souls.

 

[accitenor]

I’m with you, Shelby Sun!
It seems that some people have no problem killing the unborn but are bothered by executions of murderers. May God have mercy on their brains!
:whacky:

 

[Jon_S_1]

Abortion is not the topic of this thread and not a suitable comparison as an unborn child has never physically hurt anyone and the pregnancy does not have to be a burden if the mother has a good perspective and plan, such as giving the baby up for adoption to a couple who cannot have children of their own.

I agree that putting a killer into a cage for 40 years seems inhuman and costly. Putting a killer to death allows God to do what he sees fit with that person, while the money spent on him in prison could go to those in need. The food spent on those prisoners could go to feed hungry children and elderly and the homeless.

I wonder how many of those who are against the death penalty would have shot and killed any of those killers at the time of the crime in order to save the lives of the victims. If you think about it God, allowed and used the death penalty in order for Christ to die on the cross to save our souls.

So you must believe in killing all criminals right?

You also disagree with doctrine that states our choices as to eternity are made in this life not the next. You seem to think robbing people of the chance to repent and find Christ is ok for their eternity. It’s not.

As for abortion I merely point out the same argument used here as the pro abortion lobby. I get that makes you uncomfortable but I will continue to point those facts out.

 

[Jon_S_1]

I’m with you, Shelby Sun!
It seems that some people have no problem killing the unborn but are bothered by executions of murderers. May God have mercy on their brains!
:whacky:

While I agree, it is equally repugnant that people who claim to be pro life have no problem taking life when it is unnecessary to do so.

 

[accitenor]

Unnecessary, Jon S? Is YOUR opinion an absolute social law?
No, we do NOT believe in killing all criminals. We do believe however in executing legally all murderers, after careful review of ALL evidence.
And please stop equating abortion - murder - with the death penalty - legal retribution.