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Humans have turned on each other since the beginning of time, committing horrific crimes. Our natural response has been to kill those who kill. Why? Fear. Fear that we cannot be kept safe from those who have done great harm. But we have a substantial prison system in this country, and murder rates do not vary between states with the death penalty and those without. Execution is not a deterrent to violent crime.
If execution does not reduce crime, does it relieve the suffering of victims’ family members? On the contrary, family members will commonly say that they are re-victimized by the death penalty. While they are promised peace, what they get are years to repeatedly relive the horrific events at each stage of the appeals process. When the execution finally takes place, another family—that of the executed perpetrator—must endure grief. And this new death certainly does not bring back the beloved victim.
We respond to violence with violence in order to exact revenge. A revenge that stands directly opposed to the image of Jesus we will honor this Easter.
In the Passion readings of this Holy Week, we are reminded of the 2,000-year-old drama of the legal, public and strategic execution of an innocent man. Jesus, who was subjected to a painful state-sanctioned execution, responded counterculturally and forgave those who crucified him. He went so far as to welcome the sinner who hung beside him into his kingdom in heaven. As a society we should expect justice and protect ourselves, but also follow Jesus’ example and seek to restore victims and perpetrators. Not exact revenge for its own sake. Through restoring all who have been affected by a grave harm, we can work toward becoming the peaceable kingdom of God, the Easter message of the Resurrection.
The Christian message is one of redemption and new life. Why would we celebrate death, especially on this Easter Sunday? We need to keep society safe from murderers, but this can be achieved simply by imprisoning them. Killing them is gratuitous and part of the eye for an eye Old Testament justice that Jesus said we should move beyond IMO.
A state Supreme Court has blocked it because the pharmaceutical company who provided it to the state was not told it was being used--in combination with other drugs--to kill. As I understand it, these companies don't want their medications to be used as part of a poison cocktail.
The state attorney general is appealing--says the judge went to an anti-death penalty rally and is biased.
In the meantime, I believe one or two of the prisoners has been recommended for clemency.
I wouldn't celebrate the death of murderers, per se. But there is absolutely nothing unChristian or unCatholic in supporting the Death Penalty as a matter of prudential judgment. Pope Benedict said so. He also said we could disagree on the DP but not on abortion. So saying that being pro-DP and Pro-life are contradictions is not in line with the teaching of the Church.What a horrible witness to the Christian faith when Christians rejoice and celebrate the death of people or call for the death of people. It is disingenuous for them to keep calling themselves pro-life.
And I repeat from my previous post: As far as I am aware, Christians were commanded to love their enemies, pray for their enemies and do good to their enemies. I cannot recall one scripture reference where Christians are commanded to rejoice in the death of another person, no matter the circumstance of the death. Is there such a scripture or scriptures that I must have missed?
I think this quote is appropriate for this thread: "The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable." - Brennan Manning of dc Talk
A state Supreme Court has blocked it because the pharmaceutical company who provided it to the state was not told it was being used--in combination with other drugs--to kill. As I understand it, these companies don't want their medications to be used as part of a poison cocktail.
The state attorney general is appealing--says the judge went to an anti-death penalty rally and is biased.
In the meantime, I believe one or two of the prisoners has been recommended for clemency.
That's a useful word "prudentially". I think I'll use that word in future when disagreeing with any Catholic Bishop, Cardinal or Pope. It exonerates me from having a different opinion to them.I prudentially disagree with our good bishop.
It's the word Pope Benedict used to describe how we may disagree. Badically, my disagreement is still rooted in Catholic theology and isn't over a so-called non-negotiable issue that we are not allowed to disagree with.That's a useful word "prudentially". I think I'll use that word in future when disagreeing with any Catholic Bishop, Cardinal or Pope. It exonerates me from having a different opinion to them.
I prudentially disagree with our good bishop.
If the men were convicted by a jury of their peers and received due process of law, then the death penalty is a just recourse of the State. I have seen nothing suggesting that any of these men were wrongly convicted or sentenced.
Lee maintains his innocence and has taken several legal actions against his own public defenders. One was proven to have had a substance abuse problem and another surrendered his license due to mental health issues. Some of Lee’s attorneys have argued that in his original trial his representation failed to present or search for mitigating evidence, including the fact that he may be intellectually disabled.
Join the USCCB in prayer against the death penalty:
Prayer to End the Use of the Death Penalty
"Merciful Father, we ask your blessing on all we do to build a culture of life. Hear our prayers for those impacted by the death penalty.
We pray for all people, that their lives and dignity as children of a loving God may be respected and protected in all stages and circumstances.
We pray for victims of violence and their families, that they may experience our love and support and find comfort in your compassion and in the promise of eternal life.
We pray for those on death row, that their lives may be spared, that the innocent may be freed and that the guilty may come to acknowledge their faults and seek reconciliation with you.
We pray for the families of those who are facing execution, that they may be comforted by your love and compassion.
We pray for civic leaders, that they may commit themselves to respecting every human life and ending the use of the death penalty in our land.
Compassionate Father, give us wisdom and hearts filled with your love. Guide us as we work to end the use of the death penalty and to build a society that truly chooses life in all situations.
We ask this Father through your Son Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever."
Amen
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