{"id":52222,"date":"2024-11-18T22:48:41","date_gmt":"2024-11-18T22:48:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/?page_id=52222"},"modified":"2026-03-24T17:11:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T17:11:25","slug":"the-death-penalty","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/es\/the-death-penalty\/","title":{"rendered":"The Death Penalty"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Catholic Church and the Death Penalty<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Mosaic (2)” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”90%” max_width=”90%” custom_padding=”0px||50px||false|false” use_custom_width=”on” width_unit=”off” custom_width_percent=”90%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ module_class=”M-2_grid” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Grid Item (1) – gap fill” module_class=”M-2_grid-item M-2_grid-item1 grid-item_gap-fill” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” global_colors_info=”{}” filter_opacity__hover=”50%”][\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Grid Item (1)” module_class=”M-2_grid-item M-2_grid-item1 fade-text” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ text_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” text_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” header_font=”||||||||” background_image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Early-Christians-are-put-to-death-in-the-Colosseum-during-the-persecution-in-Rome.jpg” background_position=”center_right” text_orientation=”center” hover_transition_delay=”50ms” hover_transition_speed_curve=”ease-in-out” global_colors_info=”{}” text_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” text_text_color__hover=”#084369″ filter_opacity__hover=”50%” custom_css_main_element__hover_enabled=”on”]<\/p>\n

The Church’s Position Throughout History<\/p>\n

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What does the Church Teach Right Now?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Importance of Human Dignity<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Catholic Church’s Position<\/h4>\n

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Traditionally, the Church accepted the death penalty as legitimate punishment in certain cases, but this has evolved over time. Let us review that history and what current Church teaching says about the death penalty.<\/h5>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_padding=”0px||0px” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ custom_padding=”20px|0px|20px||true|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#054368″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

History of Church Teaching on the Death Penalty<\/span><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Painting-of-St.-Augustine-of-Hippo-receiving-the-truth-as-he-writes-and-holding-a-flaming-heart.jpg” alt=”St. Augustine never renounced the government’s right to the death penalty, but prioritized mercy.” title_text=”Painting of St. Augustine of Hippo receiving the truth as he writes and holding a flaming heart” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”off|desktop” module_class=”landscape” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”20px|0px|||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The Early Church<\/h2>\n

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The early Church had to endure frequent and severe use of the state\u2019s power of capital punishment – as witnessed by her many martyrs.<\/p>\n

However, while the early Church Fathers had varying views, many, like St. Augustine and St. Ambrose, recognized both the state\u2019s right to capital punishment and the Lord\u2019s call for mercy.<\/p>\n

St. Clement of Alexandria, in the second century, said, \u201cWhen one falls into any incurable evil\u2026it will be for his good if he is put to death.\u201d \u00a0(Stromata 1:27)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In summary, the great St. Augustine taught: “If, then, there were no other means established to curb the malice of the wicked, extreme necessity might perhaps urge that such men be put to death, though, in our view, if no milder punishment could be imposed on them, we would prefer that they be released rather than that the sufferings of our brothers be avenged by the shedding of their blood.” (Letter 134, 4)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Read More” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ module_class=”hover-btn-border read-more bullets-module” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h3″ title_font=”|600||on|||||” title_text_align=”left” title_font_size=”14px” title_line_height=”1.7em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#054368″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”10px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” link_option_url_new_window=”on” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

St. Ambrose in the 5th century said the death penalty is lawful but recommends merciful dealing wherever possible: “You will be excused if you do it, but you will be admired if you refrain when you might have done it”. (Letter, 25)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

St. Augustine taught the death penalty was legitimate: \u201cthere are some exceptions made by the divine authority to its own law, that men may not be put to death.\u201d (The City of God, Book 1, Chapter 21)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

But he also advised, \u201cmercy is due to the vanquished or the captive, especially in the case in which future troubling of the peace is not to be feared.\u201d (Letter 189, 6)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/A-mid-13th-century-fresco-painting-of-Pope-Innocent-III-in-the-Monastery-of-St.-Benedict-in-Subiaco-Rome.jpg” alt=”Pope Innocent III spoke about the state’s right to the death penalty while echoing the call to mercy.” title_text=”A mid-13th century fresco painting of Pope Innocent III in the Monastery of St. Benedict in Subiaco, Rome” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_class=”landscape” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ custom_padding=”20px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Middle Ages\/Renaissance<\/h2>\n

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T<\/span>his teaching continued through the Middles Ages and Renaissance.<\/p>\n

Pope Innocent III, in 1208, acknowledged the legitimacy of capital punishment while also demonstrating the historical context of the Church\u2019s position. (Profession of Faith for Waldensian)<\/a><\/p>\n

St. Thomas Aquinas provided the classical justification for capital punishment, arguing it serves the common good by removing dangerous individuals and deterring crime: \u201c[I]f a man be dangerous and infectious to the community\u2026it is praiseworthy and advantageous that he be killed in order to safeguard the common good.\u201d (Summa Theologica II-II, Q. 64, Part. 2)<\/a><\/p>\n

In 1556 the Church stated, \u201cAnother 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.\u201d (The Roman Catechism of the Council of Trent, Part III, The Fifth Commandment, pg. 258)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Pope-Pius-X-photo-from-1905.jpg” alt=”Pope Innocent III spoke about the state’s right to the death penalty while echoing the call to mercy.” title_text=”Pope Pius X, photo from 1905″ align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_class=”landscape” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ custom_padding=”20px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Modern Times<\/h2>\n

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POPE PIUS X<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cHis catechism of 1908, states, \u201cIt is lawful to kill when carrying out by order of the Supreme Authority a sentence of death in punishment of a crime\u201d. (The Fifth Commandment, Question 3)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

POPE PIUS XII<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Defended the state’s right to execute criminals while clarifying the death penalty is not so much the State taking a life as the person forfeiting it by his actions:<\/span><\/p>\n

“Even when it comes to the execution of a person sentenced to death, the State does not dispose of the individual’s right to life\u2026[as] by his crime, he has already dispossessed himself of his right to life.” (Speech, Sec. III, 14 September 1952)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ custom_padding=”20px|0px|20px||true|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider divider_position=”bottom” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”50px” module_alignment=”center” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_padding=”15px|0px|15px|0px|false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text module_class=”classic_socialism” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_align=”center” header_4_text_color=”#eb7425″ custom_padding=”10px||10px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The Teaching Begins to Evolve<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/johnpaulii-cropped-landscape.jpg” alt=”Pope St. John Paul II called for the restriction of the death penalty but did not proclaim it as never admissable.” title_text=”johnpaulii-cropped-landscape” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”20px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Pope St. John Paul II<\/h2>\n

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\u201cIf bloodless means are sufficient to defend human lives against an aggressor and to protect public order and the safety of persons, public authority must limit itself to such means\u201d.<\/h5>\n

(Previous Catechism of the Catholic Church #2267)<\/span><\/h3>\n

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Pope St. John Paul II began to significantly qualify the states right to impose capital punishment because \u201cIt is clear that\u2026[punishment] ought not go to the extreme of executing the offender except in cases of absolute necessity: in other words, when it would not be possible otherwise to defend society\u201d. And \u201cas a result of steady improvements in the organization of the penal system, such cases are very rare, if not practically non-existent.\u201d (Evangelium Vitae, 56)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Why did Pope St. John Paul II limit capital punishment? \u201c[B]ecause [other means] better correspond to the concrete conditions of the common good and are more in conformity to the dignity of the human person\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

And in 1999 he said, “I renew the appeal\u2026for a consensus to end the death penalty, which is both cruel and unnecessary.” <\/span>(Homily in St. Louis, Apostolic Journey to America)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/popebenedict_resized.jpg” alt=”Pope Benedict XVI continued the teaching of Pope St. John Paul II on the death penalty.” title_text=”popebenedict_resized” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ custom_padding=”20px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Pope Benedict XVI<\/h2>\n

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Pope Benedict XVI continued his predecessor\u2019s approach of encouraging the restriction and minimization of the use of the death penalty.<\/span><\/p>\n

While his 2005 encyclical, (Deus Caritas Est)<\/a> does not address the death penalty directly, it emphasizes the importance of human dignity and the sanctity of life.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2011, Pope Benedict XVI said: \u201cI draw the attention of society\u2019s leaders to the need to make every effort to eliminate the death penalty\u201d. (Africae Munus, 83)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n

And later he said to a visiting group, \u201cI express my hope that your deliberations will encourage the political and legislative initiatives being promoted in a growing number of countries to eliminate the death penalty and to continue the substantive progress made in conforming penal law both to the human dignity of prisoners and the effective maintenance of public order.\u201d (General Audience)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Pope Francis: The Teaching Changes<\/span><\/h4>\n

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\u201cthe death penalty is inadmissible\u201d<\/span><\/h4>\n
Address, 11 October 2017<\/a><\/span><\/h5>\n

This address led to\u00a0a 2018 change in the Catechism:<\/p>\n

The \u201cChurch teaches, in the light of the Gospel, that \u2018the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person\u2019 and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2267)<\/a><\/p>\n

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Why did Pope Francis Make this Change?<\/h4>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

For several reasons:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cToday\u2026there is an increasing awareness that the dignity of the person is not lost even after the commission of very serious crimes. In addition, a new understanding has emerged of the significance of penal sanctions imposed by the state.\u201d (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2267)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLastly, more effective systems of detention have been developed, which ensure the due protection of citizens but, at the same time, do not definitively deprive the guilty of the possibility of redemption.\u201d (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2267)<\/a> \u201cI would stress that \u2018it is impossible to imagine that states today have no other means than capital punishment to protect the lives of other people from the unjust aggressor\u2019.\u201d (Fratelli Tutti, 267)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Pope Francis explains: \u201cThe firm rejection of the death penalty shows to what extent it is possible to recognize the inalienable dignity of every human being and to accept that he or she has a place in this universe. If I do not deny that dignity to the worst of criminals, I will not deny it to anyone. I will give everyone the possibility of sharing this planet with me, despite all our differences.\u201d (Fratelli Tutti, 269)<\/a><\/span>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/The-lethal-injection-chamber-at-San-Quentin-state-prison-in-California-black-and-white.jpg” alt=”Pope Francis took Catholic teaching even further on the subject of the death penalty by making it inadmissible no matter what.” title_text=”The lethal injection chamber at San Quentin state prison in California” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”20px||” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” disabled_on=”off|off|on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”20px|0px|20px|0px|true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”20px|0px|20px|0px|true|false” custom_padding_phone=”20px|0px|20px|0px|true|false” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/The-lethal-injection-chamber-at-San-Quentin-state-prison-in-California-black-and-white.jpg” alt=”Pope Francis took Catholic teaching even further on the subject of the death penalty by making it inadmissible no matter what.” title_text=”The lethal injection chamber at San Quentin state prison in California” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”20px||” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text module_class=”bullets-module” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_text_color=”#054368″ custom_margin=”|40px|||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|0px|||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||20px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”20px|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Why did Pope Francis Make this Change?<\/span><\/h4>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

For several reasons:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cToday\u2026there is an increasing awareness that the dignity of the person is not lost even after the commission of very serious crimes. In addition, a new understanding has emerged of the significance of penal sanctions imposed by the state.\u201d (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2267)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLastly, more effective systems of detention have been developed, which ensure the due protection of citizens but, at the same time, do not definitively deprive the guilty of the possibility of redemption.\u201d (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2267)<\/a> \u201cI would stress that \u2018it is impossible to imagine that states today have no other means than capital punishment to protect the lives of other people from the unjust aggressor\u2019.\u201d (Fratelli Tutti, 267)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Pope Francis explains: \u201cThe firm rejection of the death penalty shows to what extent it is possible to recognize the inalienable dignity of every human being and to accept that he or she has a place in this universe. If I do not deny that dignity to the worst of criminals, I will not deny it to anyone. I will give everyone the possibility of sharing this planet with me, despite all our differences.\u201d (Fratelli Tutti, 269)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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The Bottom Line<\/span><\/h4>\n

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The death penalty is \u201cinadmissible\u201d in all cases.<\/span><\/h5>\n
\u201cIt is necessary\u2026to reaffirm that no matter how serious the crime that has been committed, the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and the dignity of the person.\u201d<\/span><\/h5>\n
Pope Francis<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/h5>\n

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Reasons for the Change<\/span><\/h4>\n

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The Dignity of Human Life<\/strong><\/h5>\n

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All are created in God’s image making all life sacred – from conception to natural death. Therefore, even guilty people retain their fundamental human dignity. The Church professes a preferential option for life.<\/p>\n

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More Effective Detention Systems<\/strong><\/h5>\n

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These can protect public safety. Modern prison systems effectively protect society so alternative punishments can serve justice.<\/p>\n

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Eliminates the Possibility of Redemption<\/strong><\/h5>\n

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This is due to the finality of the punishment. The Church emphasizes the possibility of conversion and redemption-which capital punishment can eliminate.<\/p>\n

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The Risk of Executing Innocent People<\/strong><\/h5>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”bullets-module” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_text_color=”#054368″ width=”90%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The Church recognizes the growing awareness of systemic inequalities in the application of the death penalty and the many examples of wrongly decided cases.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”0||0||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ custom_padding=”10px|0px|10px||true|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ max_width=”50px” module_alignment=”center” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ custom_padding=”20px||20px||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/A-Catholic-priest-gives-a-talk-in-the-presence-of-the-Blessed-Sacrament-in-the-Church.jpg” alt=”The Church teaches the death penalty must be abolished, and we can wrestle with how we’ve reached this point.” title_text=”A Catholic priest gives a talk in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the Church” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”20px||” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text module_class=”bullets-module” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ header_text_color=”#054368″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|0px|||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||20px|40px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”20px|||0px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Reconciling Traditional and Modern Teaching<\/span><\/h4>\n

The Church’s updated position on capital punishment, which holds it to be inadmissible in all circumstances, has prompted thoughtful dialogue among theologians, clergy, and lay Catholics.<\/span><\/p>\n

This evolution has inspired careful reflection on how the Church’s moral tradition adapts while maintaining its essential continuity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Those who welcome this development see it as a natural unfolding of Catholic teaching, reflecting a deepened appreciation for human dignity and contemporary insights into justice and human rights.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many scholars and faithful are engaging in thoughtful consideration of how this new teaching builds upon historical doctrine while preserving fundamental moral principles.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text module_class=”classic_socialism” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_align=”center” header_4_text_color=”#eb7425″ custom_padding=”20px||20px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Understanding the Dialogue: Key Themes and Pastoral Insights<\/span><\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_padding=”0px||0px” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Christ-and-His-Apostles-Catacomb-of-Domitilla-early-fourth-century.jpg” alt=”The Church\u2019s historical teaching has always acknowledged the state’s right to impose the death penalty under certain circumstances.” title_text=”Christ and His Apostles, Catacomb of Domitilla, early fourth century” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”off|desktop” module_class=”landscape” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”20px|0px|||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Tradition and Historical Teaching<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#084369″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Concern<\/strong>: Traditional Church teaching recognized circumstances where states could apply capital punishment. This perspective, supported by Church Fathers and papal teachings through the centuries, invites reflection on how the current development builds upon this theological heritage.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”The Church’s Response” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ module_class=”hover-btn-border read-more bullets-module” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h3″ title_font=”|600||on|||||” title_text_align=”left” title_font_size=”14px” title_line_height=”1.7em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#054368″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”10px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” link_option_url_new_window=”on” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The Church’s understanding has deepened alongside society’s development of more comprehensive systems of justice and public safety, offering new paths for protecting communities while honoring the sanctity of life.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/A-policeman-watches-over-a-crowd-gathering-in-New-York-City.jpg” alt=”If a prisoner could still pose a threat to society or even to fellow inmates and guards the death penalty might still be justified.” title_text=”A policeman watches over a crowd gathering in New York City” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_class=”landscape” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ custom_padding=”20px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Public Safety<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#084369″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Concern<\/strong>: The new position may not fully address scenarios where a prisoner could continue to pose significant risks to society, including other inmates and guards. In such exceptionally rare circumstances, the death penalty could arguably remain a consideration.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”The Church’s Response” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ module_class=”hover-btn-border read-more bullets-module” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h3″ title_font=”|600||on|||||” title_text_align=”left” title_font_size=”14px” title_line_height=”1.7em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#054368″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”10px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” link_option_url_new_window=”on” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Recognizing the responsibility to safeguard society, the Church maintains that life imprisonment and other measures offered by modern penal systems typically provide effective means to address these threats without resorting to execution.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/A-prisoner-standing-in-a-jail-cell-with-his-hands-between-the-bars.jpg” alt=”Some will say the death penalty provides a necessary sense of justice for the victims and their families.” title_text=”A prisoner standing in a jail cell with his hands between the bars” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_class=”landscape” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ custom_padding=”20px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Justice for Victims<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#084369″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Concern:<\/strong> The death penalty is sometimes seen as offering a sense of justice to victims and their families, serving as a retributive response to particularly egregious crimes. Eliminating this option could, for some, create a feeling of injustice among those most affected.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”The Church’s Response” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ module_class=”hover-btn-border read-more bullets-module” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h3″ title_font=”|600||on|||||” title_text_align=”left” title_font_size=”14px” title_line_height=”1.7em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#054368″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”10px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” link_option_url_new_window=”on” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Justice must always be tempered by mercy. By upholding the dignity of every human life, including that of offenders, the Church argues true justice does not always and necessarily equate to retribution.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_padding=”0px||0px” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth column-edit” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||20px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” animation_delay=”200ms” make_fullwidth=”on” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/nacho-arteaga-149521-unsplash.jpg” alt=”Pope Francis emphasizes that his revision to the Catechism regarding the death penalty is a development, not a contradiction.” title_text=”nacho-arteaga-149521-unsplash” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_class=”landscape” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ max_width=”70%” max_width_tablet=”70%” max_width_phone=”100%” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”30px||0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]
\n[\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Authority of the Pope and Continuity of Doctrine<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#084369″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#054368″ width_tablet=”” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”||10px|||” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” animation_delay=”300ms” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Concern<\/strong>: Some theologians raise concerns about the extent of the pope\u2019s authority to modify the Church\u2019s teaching on an issue historically viewed as morally permissible. They suggest that such a change could challenge the Church\u2019s sense of doctrinal continuity, given that previous popes have supported the use of the death penalty.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”The Church’s Response” open_toggle_text_color=”#054368″ open_toggle_background_color=”#ffffff” closed_toggle_text_color=”#054368″ closed_toggle_background_color=”#ffffff” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ module_class=”hover-btn-border read-more” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ title_level=”h3″ title_font=”|600||on|||||” title_text_align=”left” title_font_size=”14px” title_line_height=”1.7em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#054368″ text_orientation=”left” custom_margin_tablet=”|||0px” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”||” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” link_option_url_new_window=”on” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Pope Francis emphasizes the revision is a development rather than a contradiction. It is rooted in the Church\u2019s growing understanding of human dignity and modern means of protecting society and aligns with the principle that doctrine can develop in response to new understandings and circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/The-stoning-of-St.-Stephen-by-Orazio-Sammacchini.jpg” alt=”Supporters of the death penalty find support in Sacred Scripture.” title_text=”The stoning of St Stephen. Oil painting attributed to Orazio” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_class=”landscape” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ max_width=”70%” max_width_tablet=”70%” max_width_phone=”100%” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”30px||” global_colors_info=”{}”]
\n[\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Scripture and Theological Basis\u00a0<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#084369″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#054368″ module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||||” custom_padding=”||10px|||” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” animation_delay=”300ms” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Concern:<\/strong> Scriptural passages that endorse the death penalty for certain offenses are extant and provide a foundation for its legitimacy. (Genesis 9:6, Exodus 21:12-14, Leviticus 24:17-22, Numbers 35:30-31) [NB: Romans 13:4 is sometimes cited as support for the idea that governing authorities have the right to impose the death penalty. However, this passage is not a direct endorsement of the death penalty.]<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”The Church’s Response” open_toggle_text_color=”#054368″ open_toggle_background_color=”#ffffff” closed_toggle_text_color=”#054368″ closed_toggle_background_color=”#ffffff” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ module_class=”hover-btn-border read-more” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ title_level=”h3″ title_font=”|600||on|||||” title_text_align=”left” title_font_size=”14px” title_line_height=”1.7em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_align=”left” body_text_color=”#054368″ text_orientation=”left” custom_margin_tablet=”|||0px” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” link_option_url_new_window=”on” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The Church interprets Scripture through the lens of Christ\u2019s teachings on mercy, forgiveness, and the sanctity of all human life. The Old Testament\u2019s context, where capital punishment was seen as a necessary part of maintaining justice and societal order, is distinct from the New Covenant brought by Christ. This has led to the Church’s evolved stance against the death penalty.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ custom_padding=”10px|0px|10px||true|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ max_width=”50px” module_alignment=”center” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||20px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text module_class=”classic_socialism” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_align=”center” header_4_text_color=”#eb7425″ custom_padding=”20px||20px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

What Must I Do?<\/span><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”bullets-module” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_text_color=”#054368″ width=”75%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is my hope that…all efforts are made to abolish the death penalty, a measure that destroys all hope of forgiveness and renewal.\u201d<\/span><\/h5>\n
Pope Leo XIV<\/a><\/span><\/h5>\n

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Opposition to the death penalty<\/strong> is now considered an integral part of the Church’s pro-life teaching (alongside Her positions on abortion, euthanasia, and other life issues) and we are encouraged to actively oppose the death penalty.<\/span><\/h5>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”0||0||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ custom_padding=”10px|0px|10px||true|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ max_width=”50px” module_alignment=”center” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”0||0||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”20px||20px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”50px||20px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#054368″ header_text_color=”#eb7525″ text_orientation=”center” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|phone” custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” inline_fonts=”Playfair Display” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Catholic Social Teaching and Other Issues<\/span><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ use_custom_gutter=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”||||false|false” make_fullwidth=”on” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_slider show_image_video_mobile=”on” module_id=”issues-slider” module_class=”mosaic-width” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#084369″ header_font_size=”24px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#084369″ z_index=”0″ module_alignment=”center” content_width=”auto” min_height=”500px” min_height_tablet=”” min_height_phone=”600px” min_height_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||20px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” global_module=”40043″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_slide heading=”Transgenderism” button_link=”\/male-female-transgenderism\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/gender-theory-2.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”30px” background_color=”#ffffff” background_enable_color=”on” button_on_hover=”on” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” link_option_url=”\/male-female-transgenderism\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

We are facing a\u00a0crisis<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0in human sexuality<\/strong>\u00a0caused by a representation of human anthropology that cancels out differences between men and women.<\/p>\n

CLICK<\/strong> to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Abortion” button_link=”\/abortion\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Abortion.jpg” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”30px” background_color=”#ffffff” background_enable_color=”on” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/abortion\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

One of the most divisive issues during the past 50 years! Why is the Church so one-sided<\/strong> (and must always be so)?<\/p>\n

CLICK<\/strong> to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Racism in the United States” button_link=”\/racism-in-the-united-states\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Racism.jpg” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” image_alt=”Racism is contrary to Christ and the teachings of the Gospel” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”30px” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” link_option_url=”\/racism-in-the-united-states\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

The belief humanity can be divided into separate and exclusive biological entities with some races innately superior<\/strong> to others. This leads to personal and societal prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against other people because they are of a different race or ethnicity. What does Catholic social teaching have to say about such an insidious \u201cism\u201d<\/strong>? CLICK <\/strong>to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Democratic Socialism” button_link=”\/socialism\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/CAPP-Socialism-Icon-1.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” image_alt=”The Church has consistently spoken out against socialism in all its forms, most recently, democratic socialism” image_tablet=”” image_phone=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/CAPP-Socialism-Icon-1.png” image_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_font_size=”30px” background_color=”#ffffff” background_enable_color=”on” button_on_hover=”on” custom_padding=”||||false|false” link_option_url=”\/socialism\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” border_style_all_image=”none” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” image__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” custom_css_slide_image_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_slide_image_phone=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” image__hover=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/CAPP-Socialism-Icon-1.png” custom_css_slide_image_tablet=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

Candidates for President of the United States and many in congress espouse this as an alternative model for our country<\/strong>. What, exactly, is it?<\/strong> What does the Catholic Church say?<\/p>\n

CLICK<\/strong> to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Climate Change” button_link=”\/climate-change\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Climate-Change.jpg” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” image_alt=”Climate Change is a real issue and must be met with dialog, faith, and science, ordered toward the common good.” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_font_size=”30px” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/climate-change\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

One political party committed the US to the Paris Agreement and proposes a \u201cGreen New Deal\u201d<\/strong>. Another party withdrew from the Paris Agreement and inimically opposes<\/strong> the other\u2019s proposal. What does Catholic social teaching say?<\/p>\n

CLICK<\/strong> to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Immigration” button_link=”\/immigration-and-mass-deportations\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/icon-10-1.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” image_alt=”Climate Change is a real issue and must be met with dialog, faith, and science, ordered toward the common good.” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_font_size=”30px” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/immigration-and-mass-deportations\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

The Church recognizes the rights of nations to govern and protect themselves in the interests of the Common Good and <\/strong><\/em>\u201c\u2026the right of all men to migrate\u00a0to other countries and to seek conditions worthy of human life for themselves and for their families.\u201d\u00a0(Gaudium et Spes)<\/a><\/p>\n

CLICK<\/strong> to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Universal Healthcare” button_link=”\/universal-healthcare\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/National-health.jpg” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” image_alt=”national health care” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”30px” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” link_option_url=”\/universal-healthcare\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

US health care is, in many ways, the envy of the world<\/strong>. Would universal<\/strong>, or<\/strong> national, healthcare<\/strong>\u00a0improve it?<\/strong> See how Catholic social teaching can inform the discussion!<\/p>\n

CLICK<\/strong> to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Euthanasia” button_text=”Click Here” button_link=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/2024\/12\/euthanasia\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/icon-8-1.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”30px” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” link_option_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/2024\/12\/euthanasia\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

Without a Christian perspective, the world often seeks to avoid suffering at all costs and strives to make death as painless as possible. It is then that \u201c[w]e must accompany people towards death, but not provoke death<\/strong>\u00a0or facilitate any form of suicide.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Francis)<\/a><\/p>\n

CLICK<\/strong> to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”The Family” button_link=”\/the-family\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/The-family.jpg” image_alt=”The Family is the answer to the poisons destroying our society.” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”30px” background_color=”#ffffff” link_option_url=”\/the-family\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

The answer<\/strong> to the dangers to our society.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe\u00a0future of humanity<\/b>\u00a0passes <\/strong>by way of the family.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>(Pope St. John Paul II, 86)\u200b<\/a><\/p>\n

CLICK<\/strong> to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Marriage” button_link=”\/the-family\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Marriage.jpg” image_alt=”marriage” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”30px” background_color=”#ffffff” link_option_url=”\/the-family\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

The foundation of the family.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“[T]ranscends the feelings <\/strong>and momentary needs of the couple\u201d. It is born \u201cfrom the depth of the obligation\u00a0<\/strong>assumed by the spouses”. (Pope Francis, 66)<\/a> <\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

CLICK <\/strong>to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Dignity of Work” button_link=”\/dignity-of-work\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/icon-7.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” image_alt=”Climate Change is a real issue and must be met with dialog, faith, and science, ordered toward the common good.” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_font_size=”30px” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/dignity-of-work\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

“We were\u00a0created<\/strong>\u00a0with a vocation\u00a0to work<\/strong>.”<\/p>\n

CLICK<\/strong> to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Gun Control” button_link=”\/gun-control-pros-and-cons-and-self-defense\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Gun-control-icon-1_v1_r3.png” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”30px” background_color=”#ffffff” link_option_url=”\/gun-control-pros-and-cons-and-self-defense\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

It is one of the most divisive and painful issues in the United States.<\/strong>\u00a0Gun ownership is an issue where there is legitimate diversity of opinion. How does the Church reconcile self-defense with the sacredness of human life?<\/p>\n

CLICK<\/strong> to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Overpopulation” button_link=”\/overpopulation\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Overpopulation-icon-Draft-4.png” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”30px” background_color=”#ffffff” link_option_url=”\/overpopulation\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

From the Church\u2019s perspective, the problem was never people themselves. <\/strong>The real question is not how many people the Earth can hold, but how we understand the human person.<\/p>\n

CLICK<\/strong> to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”The Death Penalty” button_link=”\/the-death-penalty\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/CAPP-Prison-Icon.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” image_alt=”Climate Change is a real issue and must be met with dialog, faith, and science, ordered toward the common good.” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_font_size=”30px” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/the-death-penalty\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

The Church’s historical teaching, the changes Pope Francis made, and what the Church teaches now.<\/p>\n

CLICK<\/strong> to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”COVID-19″ button_link=”\/covid19\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Covid.jpg” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” image_alt=”Covid-19 is tearing families, communities, and nations apart. Catholic social teaching can guide us through it.” image_tablet=”” image_phone=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/CAPP_CrisisInfog-2004_Icons_medical-supplie.png” image_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_font_size=”30px” background_color=”#ffffff” background_enable_color=”on” button_on_hover=”on” max_width=”100%” custom_padding=”||||false|false” link_option_url=”\/covid19\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” border_style_all_image=”none” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” image__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” custom_css_slide_image_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_slide_image_phone=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” image__hover=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Covid.jpg” custom_css_slide_image_tablet=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

The Crisis and<\/strong> the Cure<\/strong>: How does Catholic social teaching evaluate governments\u2019 response?<\/p>\n

CLICK<\/strong> to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”The Common Good” button_link=”\/the-common-good\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/The-Common-Good.png” image_alt=”The Family is the answer to the poisons destroying our society.” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”30px” background_color=”#ffffff” link_option_url=”\/the-common-good\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

The Common Good is\u00a0not<\/strong> a principle, but an aspirational result<\/strong>: \u201cthe sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily\u201d.\u00a0(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1906)<\/a><\/p>\n

CLICK<\/strong> to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Physical Environment” button_link=”\/physical-environment\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Our-Physical-Environment.jpg” image_alt=”God has called us to be stewards of this world, our physical environment and common home.” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_font_size=”30px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_align=”center” body_text_color=”#054368″ background_color=”#ffffff” background_enable_color=”on” transform_translate_linked=”off” link_option_url=”\/physical-environment\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

This is about more than<\/strong> \u2018just\u2019 protecting<\/strong> the environment. There are profound spiritual dimensions involved.<\/p>\n

CLICK<\/strong> to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Integral Ecology” button_link=”\/integral-ecology\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Integral-Ecology.jpg” image_alt=”Physical and human environments are linked and only integral ecology can care or them both.” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_font_size=”30px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_align=”center” body_text_color=”#054368″ background_color=”#ffffff” background_enable_color=”on” transform_translate_linked=”off” link_option_url=”\/integral-ecology\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

The solution to all<\/strong> our environmental problems!<\/p>\n

CLICK<\/strong> to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Human Environment” button_link=”\/human-environment\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-environment.jpg” image_alt=”How many talk about the serious destruction of our human environment where we grow, live, and work?” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_font_size=”30px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_align=”center” body_text_color=”#054368″ background_color=”#ffffff” background_enable_color=”on” transform_translate_linked=”off” link_option_url=”\/human-environment\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

\u201c[W]e must also mention the more serious destruction<\/strong> of the human environment, something which is by no means receiving the attention it deserves.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a><\/p>\n

CLICK<\/strong> to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”The Four Dangers to Society” button_link=”\/pathologies-overview\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Danger-societi.jpg” image_alt=”The Church has identified four dangers to society, pathologies, eating away at our culture.” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”30px” background_color=”#ffffff” background_enable_color=”on” link_option_url=”\/pathologies-overview\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

The Church identifies the major \u2018risks and problems\u2019 eating away at our cultural, economic and political systems. What are they?<\/strong><\/p>\n

CLICK<\/strong> to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Consumerism” button_link=”\/consumerism\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Consumerism.jpg” image_alt=”Consumerism is a terrible affliction of the developed world and an affront to human dignity.” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”30px” background_color=”#ffffff” background_enable_color=”on” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” link_option_url=”\/consumerism\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

Having and wanting a lot of \u2018stuff\u2019 is at the heart of several of society\u2019s ills<\/strong>. Which ones? Why does this limit our freedom?<\/p>\n

CLICK<\/strong> to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Environmental Degradation” button_link=”\/environmental-degradation\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Environmental-Degradation.jpg” image_alt=”Our environments, both our physical and human (moral), are in peril, in more ways than you likely realize” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_font_size=”30px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_align=”center” body_text_color=”#054368″ background_color=”#ffffff” background_enable_color=”on” transform_translate_linked=”off” link_option_url=”\/environmental-degradation\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

Yes! The environment is in danger. But, it is actually worse<\/strong> (and, more complicated) than you think<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

CLICK<\/strong> to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Alienation” button_link=”\/alienation\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Alienation.jpg” image_alt=”alienation” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”30px” background_color=”#ffffff” link_option_url=”\/alienation\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

Society and individuals are alienated! We are \u201cmarked by a \u2018globalization of indifference\u2019<\/strong> that makes us\u2026closed in on ourselves.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Francis, 1)<\/em><\/span><\/a> \u00a0The consequences are devastating!<\/p>\n

CLICK<\/strong> to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Radical Secularism” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Radical-Secularism.jpg” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”30px” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

[COMING SOON]<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe greatest challenge of our time\u201d!<\/strong>\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 3)<\/em><\/span>\u200b<\/a>\u00a0Why?<\/strong> Radical secularism holds that there is no such thing as an objective truth. But, \u201cWithout truth, without trust and love for what is true…social action ends up serving private interests and the logic of power.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 5)<\/em>\u200b<\/a>\u00a0Sound familiar?<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”How to Vote” button_link=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-voting\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/CAPP-Politics-Icon-v2.png” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”30px” background_color=”#ffffff” link_option_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-voting\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 150px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

Participation in politics is a Christian obligation: <\/strong>\u201cWe, Christians, cannot \u2018play Pilate\u2019 and wash our hands\u2026We must participate in politics because politics is one of the highest forms of charity\u201d. (Pope Francis)<\/em>\u200b<\/a><\/p>\n

CLICK <\/strong>to read more.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_slider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#f2f2f2″ custom_padding=”0px||0px” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”50px||50px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#054368″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#eb7525″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_align=”center” header_4_text_color=”#084369″ custom_margin_phone=”|-99px||-99px” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|phone” custom_padding=”||10px|” inline_fonts=”Open Sans,Playfair Display” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Why These Issues Matter<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#054368″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#eb7525″ header_2_font=”||||||||” header_5_font=”||||||||” header_5_text_align=”center” width=”80%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin_phone=”|-99px||-99px” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|phone” custom_padding=”||1px|” inline_fonts=”Open Sans,Playfair Display” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Catholic social teaching informs our consciences and requires action from us, the lay faithful. \u201cWorking for a just distribution of the fruits of the earth and human labor is not mere philanthropy. It is a moral obligation.<\/strong>
\nFor Christians, the responsibility is even greater: it is a commandment.<\/strong>\u201d<\/h5>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#054368″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#eb7525″ header_2_font=”||||||||” header_5_font=”||||||||” header_5_text_align=”center” text_orientation=”center” width=”80%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin_phone=”|-99px||-99px” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|phone” inline_fonts=”Open Sans,Playfair Display” global_colors_info=”{}”]Pope Francis<\/a>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider divider_position=”bottom” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”50px” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Widget of Issues ” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px||” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ use_custom_gutter=”on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” make_fullwidth=”on” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_slider show_image_video_mobile=”on” module_class=”three-principles” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#084369″ header_font_size=”24px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_text_color=”#084369″ width_last_edited=”off|desktop” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”|||” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 70% !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_slide heading=”Three Key Principles” button_link=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/3-Key-principle-icons-resized.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” custom_css_slide_image=”margin: 0 auto;||text-align: center;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles –\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0Human Dignity<\/em><\/strong>, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles: \u201cThe State must contribute to the achievement of these goals both directly and indirectly. Indirectly and according to the\u00a0principle of subsidiarity<\/strong>,\u00a0<\/em>by creating favorable conditions for the free exercise of economic activity, which will lead to abundant opportunities for employment and sources of wealth. Directly and according to the\u00a0principle of solidarity<\/strong>,\u00a0<\/em>by defending the weakest\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 15)<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Human Dignity” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/human-dignity-1.jpg” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/human-dignity” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image. This is \u201cthe basis not only of the unity of the human family but also of our inviolable human dignity<\/strong>\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI) and it is in this beginning that human rights are grounded.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Solidarity” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/solidarity-1.jpg” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/solidarity” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

Solidarity<\/strong> is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a><\/em><\/span>. Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment. \u201cWe cannot believe in God the Father without seeing a brother or sister in every person, and we cannot follow Jesus without giving our lives for those for whom he died on the cross.\u201d (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Subsidiarity” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/subsidiarity-1.jpg” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/subsidiarity” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

Subsidiarity<\/strong> identifies how decisions in society need to be taken at the lowest competent level. \u201cIt is a fundamental principle of social philosophy, fixed and unchangeable, that one should not withdraw from individuals and commit to the community what they can accomplish by their own enterprise and industry. So, too, it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and a disturbance of right order to transfer to the larger and higher collectivity functions which can be performed and provided for by the lesser and subordinate bodies\u201d. (Pope Pius XI, 79)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_slider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Image & Text” module_id=”newsletter” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”#eb7525″ z_index=”950″ display_conditions=”W3siaWQiOiI2MmUwMjk2ZS1lYmY5LTQwYWYtYmM0Mi0zZmEzYzUyNGNlYTEiLCJjb25kaXRpb24iOiJwYWdlIiwiY29uZGl0aW9uU2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiZGlzcGxheVJ1bGUiOiJpc05vdCIsImR5bmFtaWNQb3N0cyI6W3sibGFiZWwiOiJDYXJpdGFzIGluIFZlcml0YXRlIiwidmFsdWUiOiI0NzIxNCJ9XSwicG9zdFR5cGVMYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiYWRtaW5MYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiZW5hYmxlQ29uZGl0aW9uIjoib24ifSwib3BlcmF0b3IiOiJPUiJ9XQ==” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” animation_direction=”left” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_module=”45073″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#eb7525″ header_2_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_font_size=”30px” header_4_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#ffffff” header_4_font_size=”32px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Sign Up For Our Newsletter:<\/h4>\n

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