Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Catholicism & Capital Punishment
First Things ^ | April 2001 | Avery Cardinal Dulles

Posted on 01/24/2005 12:46:17 PM PST by Conservative Coulter Fan

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-34 last
To: Conservative Coulter Fan
I'm not sure what I can say to ease your concern, other than to say that Paul R. Shanley, the erstwhile priest who was instrumental in the organization of NAMBLA, was dismissed from the priesthood on February 19, 2004. See article here.
21 posted on 01/25/2005 7:47:11 AM PST by eastsider
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Conservative Coulter Fan
As for the 'woman taken in adultery' - see my post here at Free Republic

I did and I wasn't impressed. First, the author attempts to deny the authenticity of the passage, and thereby its authority. Then he dismisses it as being merely an entrapment tale, about how clever Jesus was to foil the Pharisees, and the lengths they went to, to discredit him.

Jesus could have responded in any number of ways to thwart the Pharisees. That he chose the one he did is perfectly consistent with the mission demonstrated throughout the gospels. One commentary I have says this: "The lesson of the story is, of course, not that sin is of no importance, nor that God does not punish sin, but that God extends mercy to the sinner that he may turn from his sin. The picture of the sinner and the Sinless standing face to face exemplifies the call to repentance." The author of your article misses the whole point, but that is understandable given this ludicrous statement:"The result would be that no one could condemn anyone for anything!" as if that would take the joy out of life.

My contention is that in imitation of our Lord we should strive to extend the mercy that is extended to us, and that the most fundamental place to do so is with life itself.

22 posted on 01/25/2005 7:15:38 PM PST by St.Chuck
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Conservative Coulter Fan
Interesting article by Justice Scalia.

Nice that he addressed Romans 13. He actually touched on a few issues that come to mind when reading that passage. He comes across as quite the statist. He seems gleeful that he was told the encyclical, Evangelium Vitae, is non-binding, but misses the entire point of the death penalty's inclusion in the encyclical. It is disappointing that he degrades the wisdom of the Church in it's quest to facilitate the deepest and most thorough respect for life in the hearts of Her followers.

23 posted on 01/25/2005 8:29:12 PM PST by St.Chuck
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: St.Chuck
From a practical standpoint, life in prison with no parole still affords the situation as occurred three years ago here in Texas, where nine lifers escaped and shot an Irving, Texas policeman.

No death row inmate can possibly escape in Texas, as he is confined to his cell for 23 hours a day.

So, the death penalty is certainly preferable to the risk of escape by men who already have nothing to lose.

24 posted on 01/25/2005 8:53:51 PM PST by sinkspur ("Preach the gospel. If necessary, use words.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: sinkspur
If no death row inmate can possibly escape, similar accomodations can be made for lifers.

I'm very familiar with the "Texas Seven" as they were apprehended about forty miles from here.

25 posted on 01/25/2005 9:10:33 PM PST by St.Chuck
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: eastsider

I think you are a little too cynical. Cardinal Dulles is a man of true grit. He is the last one that we have to worry about.


26 posted on 03/21/2005 11:51:43 AM PST by SaintThomasMorePrayForUs
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Romulus
The death penalty is the most effective antidote for recidivism.
27 posted on 03/21/2005 11:58:28 AM PST by verity (The Liberal Media and the ACLU are America's Enemies)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: verity
The death penalty is the most effective antidote for recidivism.

I am not interested in the pre-emptive killing of prospective criminals; indeed the very idea disgusts me. I am interested in the death penalty as society's protection from penal systems that unjustly void existing life sentences.

28 posted on 03/21/2005 12:19:49 PM PST by Romulus (Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: St.Chuck
He seems gleeful that he was told the encyclical, Evangelium Vitae, is non-binding, but misses the entire point of the death penalty's inclusion in the encyclical. It is disappointing that he degrades the wisdom of the Church in it's quest to facilitate the deepest and most thorough respect for life in the hearts of Her followers.

Here is some wisdom from the Church you seem to want to ignore, as do those who espouse other novel teaching on this issue:

"Execution Of Criminals

Another kind of lawful slaying belongs to the civil authorities, to whom is entrusted power of life and death, by the legal and judicious exercise of which they punish the guilty and protect the innocent. The just use of this power, far from involving the crime of murder, is an act of paramount obedience to this Commandment which prohibits murder. The end of the Commandment­ is the preservation and security of human life. Now the punishments inflicted by the civil authority, which is the legitimate avenger of crime, naturally tend to this end, since they give security to life by repressing outrage and violence. Hence these words of David: In the morning I put to death all the wicked of the land, that I might cut off all the workers of iniquity from the city of the Lord."

Catechism of Trent

29 posted on 03/21/2005 12:25:50 PM PST by murphE (Each of the SSPX priests seems like a single facet on the gem that is the alter Christus. -Gerard. P)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: Romulus
I am not interested in the pre-emptive killing of prospective criminals

That's NOT what I said.

30 posted on 03/21/2005 3:21:33 PM PST by verity (The Liberal Media and the ACLU are America's Enemies)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: murphE
Here is some wisdom from the Church you seem to want to ignore, as do those who espouse other novel teaching on this issue:

The wisdom of the Church recognizes that Trent shouldn't be applied to this matter at this time. That's the real wisdom of the Church.

Another kind of lawful slaying belongs to the civil authorities, to whom is entrusted power of life and death, by the legal and judicious exercise of which they punish the guilty and protect the innocent.

Sorry, but the civil authority that allows O.J. Simpson and Robert Blake to walk, but incarcerates Martha Stewart and condemns Scott Peterson to death on the most circumstantial of evidence can hardly be described as judicious. The same civil authority that would starve Mrs. Schiavo to death? The generation of Churchmen currently applying their wisdom know full well the horrors the civil authority can inflict on a people and should be lauded for their courage to correct all the novelties that have come after Gen. 4:15.

31 posted on 03/21/2005 9:21:15 PM PST by St.Chuck
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: St.Chuck
If you would be willing to, I'd like to move the discussion over here:

Catholic Bishops Campaign Against Death Penalty

the same discussion is going on, and I'd like to draw your attention to my post #20, which is pretty much how I would respond to you here.

32 posted on 03/21/2005 9:29:41 PM PST by murphE (Each of the SSPX priests seems like a single facet on the gem that is the alter Christus. -Gerard. P)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: verity
I think it is, though. "Recidivism" means that a person falls back into a life of crime. It indicates that new crimes are being committed. If you advocate capital punishment as a preventative for recidivism, you're advocating killing a person to prevent him from something he hasn't done yet.
33 posted on 03/22/2005 6:49:54 AM PST by Romulus (Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: Romulus
"Recidivism" means that a person falls back into a life of crime. It indicates that new crimes are being committed.

That is exactly my point. I do not nor did not advocate a preemptive application of capital punishment for a person who has not yet committed a heinous crime.

34 posted on 03/22/2005 8:31:58 AM PST by verity (The Liberal Media and the ACLU are America's Enemies)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-34 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson