[madprof98]

So now the Holy Father is "the Catholic Establishment"??? John Paul is a saint. It is sad that so many Catholics today - many of them self-described as orthodox - are hellbent on attacking the reverence for human life that he taught us.

[goldstategop]

I don't believe reverence for life ought to be extended to murderers. So yes, the Church isn't beyond criticism for ignoring the age-old principle of JUSTICE.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[Neidermeyer]

It is sad that so many Catholics today - many of them self-described as orthodox - are hellbent on attacking the reverence for human life that he taught us.

---

Christ had absolutely no problem with criminals being crucified, for the same reasons cited here ... man must meter out justice; and death for a murderer maintains social order and shows reverence for the life taken by the murderer. You've all seen the bumper sticker , "If you want Peace work for justice" ,, guess what ,, that ones true...trouble with that one is the large number of people with warped sensibilities that don't see true justice for what it is , they are always working for the "rights" of the bad guy.. and against the society they should be working at protecting.

[RobbyS]

The Holy Father could be wrong on prudential matters, and I don't think his argument stands against those of St. Augustine and St. Thomas, or the different opinion of the present pope.