that is not “as” absolute as the teaching on abortion.
For years it was considered acceptable as a safeguard against furthr killing of the innocent.
What the church basically has said is that now most of our countries have advanced enough to be able to contain these criminals without having to kill them.
However, the Church has also recognized exceptions can be made regarding those extreme persons who still represent a physical threat even in prison - to guards and to fellow inmates.
So there is room for debate regarding this teaching and it is not given the same weight as the teaching regarding the killing of innocent unborn children.
Thank you for the explanation.