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To: Scotswife
I don’t know much about Aquinas, and as you know the Catholic Church is opposed to putting people to death.

Are you aware that this opposition to the death penalty is a relatively recent phenomenon?

The last execution for Heresy took place in Spain in 1826.

I agree the Catholic Church is on record as opposing the death penalty. I heartily agree as I am opposed to the death penalty under any circumstances.

The official teaching of the RCC; however, still provides for the death penalty.

Catechism Of The Catholic Church

2267 Assuming that the guilty party's identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor.

If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people's 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 are more in conformity to the dignity of the human person.

Today, in fact, as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm - without definitely taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself - the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity "are very rare, if not practically non-existent."


187 posted on 04/10/2007 8:40:42 AM PDT by OLD REGGIE (I am most likely a Biblical Unitarian? Let me be perfectly clear. I know nothing.)
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To: OLD REGGIE

“Are you aware that this opposition to the death penalty is a relatively recent phenomenon?”

Why does it matter if it is recent?
You asked if I wanted you dead.
The answer is no.

“The last execution for Heresy took place in Spain in 1826.”

yes, quite a long time ago don’t you think?
This was also done by the government of Spain who considered heresy by self-proclaimed “catholics” to be akin to treason.

I am aware of what the catechism teaches about the death penalty and I agree with it.

There are some people who still present a further threat to life even when they are imprisoned.
They continue to kill fellow inmates or guards.

Unfortunately in these cases, there is a protection of human life when such persons are put to death.

If we could somehow guarantee such individuals would not continue their murderous ways, I would agree that keeping them alive would be best.


190 posted on 04/10/2007 9:05:18 AM PDT by Scotswife
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