“abortion is a more egregious and pressing problem because it kills exponentially more human beings”
Well, I’d say the really important moral difference is that abortion intentionally kills innocent human beings. The death penalty at least ostensibly is not intentionally trying to kill innocent people, even if we know that it does happen.
You're correct. The statement is not accurate.
Abortion is an inherently evil act; there is no possible justification for killing an unborn baby.
The death penalty itself is not evil, but it can be applied incorrectly and unfairly. That has been the primary issue with the Catholic hierarchy.