[nobamanomore]

I think a lot of people are getting carried away with this. The catechism has always stated it this way “if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor”

With the security of prisons today, I’m somewhat doubtful if capital punishment is the ‘only possible way’.

I’m more of a proponent of capital punishment, but according to the Catechism, it’s hard to argue that we dont’ need it anymore.

[kaktuskid]

Two ways to take care of murderers...lobotomize, sterilize.

[ebb tide]

The catechisms have not always said that.

There was a Catholic Church before the Second Vatican Council.

Some people seem to ignore or discount that.

[ebb tide]

With the security of prisons today, I’m somewhat doubtful if capital punishment is the ‘only possible way’.

Killers who go on to kill again under spotlight

Remember now, Bergoglio, is also against life imprisonment.

[Jeff Chandler]

if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor”

That was JPII unilaterally changing scriptural, traditional Church teaching, but in a slicker way than Francis.

But remember, now that those popes changed Catholic teaching to fit their opinions, future popes can change whatever teaching they want.

[scouter]

With the security of prisons today, I’m somewhat doubtful if capital punishment is the ‘only possible way’.

I have two cousins who are prison guards. One of them had to be removed from contact with the prisoners because a contract had been put out on him. Modern prisons do nothing to adequately protect the guards and other prison staff, let alone other prisoners, who also have the right to life.

A pope can't change doctrine. He can try, but he can't succeed. It is what it is, and it will always remain so, no matter how long he pounds his fist or stamps his feet or curses those who don't give him the adoration he desires.

What a pope can do (and ought to do) is to help us understand how to apply the doctrine to today's particular circumstances. But the charism of infallibility does not extend to his prudential judgments such as this. We ought to listen carefully to a pope when he does this, but we are not bound to obey him.

The fact that Bergoglio has changed the Catechism of the Catholic Church in this manner, which is clearly at odds with previous infallible teaching, means one or both of two things:

1. He is not really pope. There is good reason to question this. I have not yet made up my mind, and probably won't for some time.
   
   
2. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is not an appropriate document in which to proclaim an infallible teaching. I have made my mind up about this. It is not.