The Catholic Church is against the death penalty just as it is opposed to abortion—it is uniformly pro-life—I like the consistency of the message.
Me, too. Pro life is... being for life in all forms. Even the ugly ones we don't like. Because as soon as wee start saying "You're too damaged to live", it quickly follows that that same argument is applied to abortion.
I am not always as strict an adherent to the anti-death penalty position of the RCC as I would like to be and need to be, and I appreciate the reminder from the Holy Father when it comes up.
Abortion is something that is always and everywhere wrong, and is classified this way in canon law, but the position on the death penalty is fairly new and is not a matter of Church doctrine. The former Pope was very opposed to it, however, and I think he projected his opposition.
Personally, I think there are times when it’s necessary, because there are some people who are going to kill again even if they’re in jail for life (they’ll kill a guard or another inmate).
I think in this case, you’re simply seeing Christian forgiveness, such as that of Maria Goretti. And many prayers for the killer’s conversion. I was pretty sure that Church officials would ask for the killer to be spared. Also, it is safer for the Church in Iraq if this man is not put to death.
Jesus entrusted the deposit of faith to the Catholic Church through Peter and the Apostles, commanding them to go forth and preach the good news to all nations. He assured the Church that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. In its 2,000 year history, not one pope has ever erred in matters of doctrine on faith or morals. That long track record exceeds every government or nation or corporation that has ever existed, testimony to the fact that the Holy Spirit continues to guide the Catholic Church. Thank you for the post!
That is not correct. The Church does not, and never has, equated abortion with the death penalty. What you’re describing is the dubious “seamless garment” theory, which is NOT Church teaching, but a theological theory. It’s not a doctrine, and some would say its heresy.
As Ratzinger himself explained when he was a Cardinal, there is a very great difference between willful destruction of innocent life, and a society’s obligation to protect its members from a convicted murderer. St. Thomas speculated about the possible redemptive influence of Capital Punishment in possibly obviating eternal punishment.
While many bishops and priests might personally have positions against Capital Punishment, and it’s true the Catechism is indeed quite strict in stipulating when it can be applied (as a last resort, serious offense, right of State to protect citizens, and so forth) the Church teaching has never opposed it de facto or absolutely.
This is all very clearly explained in the CCC, which I can quote for you if wanted.