But you asked me, not about the application of the death penalty for murder, which I never disputed, but about a different situation: torture for heresy:
Do you agree that acts in the past in the name of the Church and of Christ in which people were tortured for being convicted of heresy were wrong and contrary to the teachings of Christ?
Yes, I do believe that directly intended torture is wrong in every case. I believe it is a violation of the Gospel of Christ and, as well, a violation of Natural Law.
Romans 12:19
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. It is morally deadly to the person who inflicts it, it does not produce true repentance in the person on whom it is inflicted, it corrupts society, and it does not provide any kind of restorative justice to crime victims, in this case, those harmed by the spread of heresy.
“In cases of heinous crime (such as the burning to death of the little baby referenced in the original article) where guilt is certain and the death penalty would be justified, such punishment should be swift and certain... Yes, I do believe that directly intended torture is wrong in every case.”
In that case I think our differences on the subject are small.