Andrew Connor
Theo-300
Mr. Sciuto
Capital Punishment
Capital Punishment refers to ending the life of a felon, generally someone who murders in the first degree. That means that the murderer set up and planned to kill the victim. Other people who are put to death from crimes can be leaders of countries that do war crimes, such as the Nazi leaders. The Catholic Catechism surprised me in its response to the death penalty because even though it condemns the killing of other humans it allows for the death penalty. “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.” This statement means, if the only way to keep the criminal from killing, or harming others, is death then it is allowed. However, this also means that if there is some other way to protect the lives of others, then we need to follow the other way. We need to respect, and protect all human life, it is their right.
Archbishop
Joseph L. Bernardin also commented on Capital
Punishment. “I would ask all to examine the question
of whether there are other and better approaches to protecting our people from
violent crimes than resorting to executions.” He just wants to try and figure
out a better way to deal with these criminals then to just kill them. If it’s
the only way then it is morally acceptable, but we need to pray to try and come
up with another way of doing this.
The Holy See took this one step further, the abolition of capital punishment. They believe no matter what the crime, the answer should always be nonviolent means. Human life should never be taken away, even if you murdered someone else. The Holy See thinks that “all too often, in many societies, the carrying out of the death penalty is accompanied by unacceptable public signs of frightening vengeance and revenge.” It is just a means to get back at criminals out of hatred for them or fear of them, not respect for their lives at all.