<\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/h5>\n <\/p>\n
\n![\"Death](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/A-photo-of-a-hallway-in-a-prison-showing-cells-and-stairs.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Let’s examine the death penalty pros and cons through the lens of Catholic social teaching.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
What is the Death Penalty?<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>The\u00a0death penalty<\/a> refers to capital punishment, by which a criminal is put to death by a legitimate authority for serious crimes against human life and the common good.<\/span><\/p>\nOnly a legitimate court of law has the right, in the eyes of the Church, of sentencing someone to capital punishment. \u201cLegitimate public authority has the right and duty to inflict penalties commensurate with the gravity of the crime.\u201d (CCC, 2266)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHistory of the Death Penalty in the Church<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Unlike other practices, like abortion<\/a> and homosexuality<\/a>, which received resounding condemnation from the earliest days of the Church, pronouncements on the death penalty were more nuanced. While early Christians abhorred the killing of others, preferring to be martyred than resist persecution, they recognized the state\u2019s right to capital punishment.<\/span><\/p>\nSt. Clement of Alexandria, in the second century, said, \u201cWhen one falls into any incurable evil…it will be for his good if he is put to death\u201d. (Stromata 1.27)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nReferring to an execution, St. Ambrose, in the 5th century, told a Christian judge: \u201cYou will be excused if you do it, but you will be admired if you refrain when you might have done it\u201d. (Letter, 25)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nHis student, the great St. Augustine, justified the death penalty when there was \u201cno other established method of restraining the hostility of the desperate\u2026perhaps extreme necessity would demand the killing of such people\u201d. (Letter, 134)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nBasically, the Church fathers recognized the right of the state to execute but urged it not to be used. \u201cAs violence is used towards him who rebels and resists, so mercy 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 (St. Augustine, Letter, 189)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThis understanding continued down through Church history.<\/span><\/p>\nDeath Penalty \u201cPros\u201d in Church Teaching \u2014 Until Now<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Throughout history, the right of the state to execute criminals was more necessary and the arguments for the death penalty more numerous. <\/span><\/p>\n“For those who refuse to obey God’s laws, it is correct for society to rebuke them with civil and criminal sanctions. No one sins working for justice, within the law<\/strong>.” (St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Contra Gentilles, Book 3, Chapter 146)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n“Another kind of lawful slaying belongs to the civil authorities, to whom is entrusted power of life and death, by the legal and judicious exercise of which they punish the guilty and protect the innocent.” (Catechism of the Council of Trent, pg. 258)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Pope Pius X, in his catechism of 1908, states, \u201cIt is lawful to kill…in cases of necessary and lawful defense of one’s own life against an unjust aggressor.\u201d (The Fifth Commandment, Question 3)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nLegitimate state authority has the right and the duty to protect the common good<\/strong>. \u201cThe political community exists\u2026for the sake of the common good, in which it finds its full justification and significance, and the source of its inherent legitimacy\u201d. (Gaudium et Spes, 74)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n“Recourse to the death penalty on the part of legitimate authority, following a fair trial, was long considered an appropriate response to the gravity of certain crimes and an acceptable, albeit extreme, means of safeguarding the common good.”\u00a0(CCC, 2266)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHowever… Should the Death Penalty be Allowed?
<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>As the modern era set in, justice systems improved, and prisoner rehabilitation became a greater priority (and possibility). More and more offenders, even violent offenders, were shown clemency and reintroduced into society.<\/span><\/p>\nThe 1992 Catechism stated, \u201cIf bloodless means are sufficient to defend human lives against an aggressor and to protect public order and the safety of persons, public authority should limit itself to such means because they better correspond to the concrete conditions of the common good and are more in conformity to the dignity of the human person.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nPope St. John Paul II stated plainly in 1995, “Today… as a result of steady improvements in the organization of the penal system, such cases [of absolute necessity to execute offenders] are very rare, if not practically non-existent.” (Evangelium Vitae, 56)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nDuring his visit to the United States, the Holy Father said, “I renew the appeal I made most recently at Christmas for a consensus to end the death penalty<\/strong>, which is both cruel and unnecessary.” (Pope St. John Paul II, 5)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nPope Benedict XVI furthered this, especially during his address to Africa, “I draw the attention of society\u2019s leaders to the need to make every effort to eliminate the death penalty<\/strong> and to reform the penal system in a way that ensures respect for the prisoners\u2019 human dignity.” (Africae Munus, 83)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCurrent Church Teaching<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>In light of his predecessors’ teaching, Pope Francis said, “the death penalty is inadmissible<\/strong> because it is an attack on the inviolability and the dignity of the person.” (Letter to Bishops on the Death Penalty)<\/a> and the Catechism has been changed.<\/span><\/p>\nNow, 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 (CCC, 2267)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\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 (Pope Francis, 269)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhy the Death Penalty Should be Abolished: Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>The death penalty is \u201cinadmissible\u201d in all cases.<\/span><\/p>\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 (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/the-death-penalty\/” button_text=”Learn More About the Death Penalty” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ 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da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” 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_5,3_5,1_5″ use_custom_gutter=”on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.13.0″ 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” custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” make_fullwidth=”on” global_module=”31023″ saved_tabs=”all” 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=”100%” width_last_edited=”off|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_slide_image_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_slide_image_phone=”width: auto;||margin: 0 auto !important;”][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\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” image_alt=”Three circles containing symbols of the three principles of catholic social teaching: human dignity, subsidiarity, and solidarity.” image_tablet=”” image_phone=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/3-Key-principle-icons-resized.png” image_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” z_index=”0″ overflow-x=”hidden” overflow-y=”hidden” link_option_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 300px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” 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.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, 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.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Human Dignity” button_link=”\/human-dignity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/human-dignity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Solidarity” button_link=”\/solidarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/solidarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
Solidarity 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> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Subsidiarity” button_link=”\/subsidiarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/subsidiarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
Subsidiarity \u201cis 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)<\/a><\/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
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<\/p>\n
Let’s examine the death penalty pros and cons through the lens of Catholic social teaching.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
What is the Death Penalty?<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>The\u00a0death penalty<\/a> refers to capital punishment, by which a criminal is put to death by a legitimate authority for serious crimes against human life and the common good.<\/span><\/p>\nOnly a legitimate court of law has the right, in the eyes of the Church, of sentencing someone to capital punishment. \u201cLegitimate public authority has the right and duty to inflict penalties commensurate with the gravity of the crime.\u201d (CCC, 2266)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHistory of the Death Penalty in the Church<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Unlike other practices, like abortion<\/a> and homosexuality<\/a>, which received resounding condemnation from the earliest days of the Church, pronouncements on the death penalty were more nuanced. While early Christians abhorred the killing of others, preferring to be martyred than resist persecution, they recognized the state\u2019s right to capital punishment.<\/span><\/p>\nSt. Clement of Alexandria, in the second century, said, \u201cWhen one falls into any incurable evil…it will be for his good if he is put to death\u201d. (Stromata 1.27)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nReferring to an execution, St. Ambrose, in the 5th century, told a Christian judge: \u201cYou will be excused if you do it, but you will be admired if you refrain when you might have done it\u201d. (Letter, 25)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nHis student, the great St. Augustine, justified the death penalty when there was \u201cno other established method of restraining the hostility of the desperate\u2026perhaps extreme necessity would demand the killing of such people\u201d. (Letter, 134)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nBasically, the Church fathers recognized the right of the state to execute but urged it not to be used. \u201cAs violence is used towards him who rebels and resists, so mercy 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 (St. Augustine, Letter, 189)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThis understanding continued down through Church history.<\/span><\/p>\nDeath Penalty \u201cPros\u201d in Church Teaching \u2014 Until Now<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Throughout history, the right of the state to execute criminals was more necessary and the arguments for the death penalty more numerous. <\/span><\/p>\n“For those who refuse to obey God’s laws, it is correct for society to rebuke them with civil and criminal sanctions. No one sins working for justice, within the law<\/strong>.” (St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Contra Gentilles, Book 3, Chapter 146)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n“Another kind of lawful slaying belongs to the civil authorities, to whom is entrusted power of life and death, by the legal and judicious exercise of which they punish the guilty and protect the innocent.” (Catechism of the Council of Trent, pg. 258)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Pope Pius X, in his catechism of 1908, states, \u201cIt is lawful to kill…in cases of necessary and lawful defense of one’s own life against an unjust aggressor.\u201d (The Fifth Commandment, Question 3)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nLegitimate state authority has the right and the duty to protect the common good<\/strong>. \u201cThe political community exists\u2026for the sake of the common good, in which it finds its full justification and significance, and the source of its inherent legitimacy\u201d. (Gaudium et Spes, 74)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n“Recourse to the death penalty on the part of legitimate authority, following a fair trial, was long considered an appropriate response to the gravity of certain crimes and an acceptable, albeit extreme, means of safeguarding the common good.”\u00a0(CCC, 2266)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHowever… Should the Death Penalty be Allowed?
<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>As the modern era set in, justice systems improved, and prisoner rehabilitation became a greater priority (and possibility). More and more offenders, even violent offenders, were shown clemency and reintroduced into society.<\/span><\/p>\nThe 1992 Catechism stated, \u201cIf bloodless means are sufficient to defend human lives against an aggressor and to protect public order and the safety of persons, public authority should limit itself to such means because they better correspond to the concrete conditions of the common good and are more in conformity to the dignity of the human person.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nPope St. John Paul II stated plainly in 1995, “Today… as a result of steady improvements in the organization of the penal system, such cases [of absolute necessity to execute offenders] are very rare, if not practically non-existent.” (Evangelium Vitae, 56)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nDuring his visit to the United States, the Holy Father said, “I renew the appeal I made most recently at Christmas for a consensus to end the death penalty<\/strong>, which is both cruel and unnecessary.” (Pope St. John Paul II, 5)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nPope Benedict XVI furthered this, especially during his address to Africa, “I draw the attention of society\u2019s leaders to the need to make every effort to eliminate the death penalty<\/strong> and to reform the penal system in a way that ensures respect for the prisoners\u2019 human dignity.” (Africae Munus, 83)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCurrent Church Teaching<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>In light of his predecessors’ teaching, Pope Francis said, “the death penalty is inadmissible<\/strong> because it is an attack on the inviolability and the dignity of the person.” (Letter to Bishops on the Death Penalty)<\/a> and the Catechism has been changed.<\/span><\/p>\nNow, 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 (CCC, 2267)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\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 (Pope Francis, 269)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhy the Death Penalty Should be Abolished: Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>The death penalty is \u201cinadmissible\u201d in all cases.<\/span><\/p>\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 (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/the-death-penalty\/” button_text=”Learn More About the Death Penalty” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ 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sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/articles\/” button_text=”Back to Articles” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][\/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” 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_5,3_5,1_5″ use_custom_gutter=”on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.13.0″ 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” custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” make_fullwidth=”on” global_module=”31023″ saved_tabs=”all” 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=”100%” width_last_edited=”off|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_slide_image_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_slide_image_phone=”width: auto;||margin: 0 auto !important;”][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\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” image_alt=”Three circles containing symbols of the three principles of catholic social teaching: human dignity, subsidiarity, and solidarity.” image_tablet=”” image_phone=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/3-Key-principle-icons-resized.png” image_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” z_index=”0″ overflow-x=”hidden” overflow-y=”hidden” link_option_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 300px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” 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.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, 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.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Human Dignity” button_link=”\/human-dignity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/human-dignity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Solidarity” button_link=”\/solidarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/solidarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
Solidarity 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> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Subsidiarity” button_link=”\/subsidiarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/subsidiarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
Subsidiarity \u201cis 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)<\/a><\/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
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<\/span>The\u00a0death penalty<\/a> refers to capital punishment, by which a criminal is put to death by a legitimate authority for serious crimes against human life and the common good.<\/span><\/p>\n
Only a legitimate court of law has the right, in the eyes of the Church, of sentencing someone to capital punishment. \u201cLegitimate public authority has the right and duty to inflict penalties commensurate with the gravity of the crime.\u201d (CCC, 2266)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n St. Clement of Alexandria, in the second century, said, \u201cWhen one falls into any incurable evil…it will be for his good if he is put to death\u201d. (Stromata 1.27)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n Referring to an execution, St. Ambrose, in the 5th century, told a Christian judge: \u201cYou will be excused if you do it, but you will be admired if you refrain when you might have done it\u201d. (Letter, 25)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n His student, the great St. Augustine, justified the death penalty when there was \u201cno other established method of restraining the hostility of the desperate\u2026perhaps extreme necessity would demand the killing of such people\u201d. (Letter, 134)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Basically, the Church fathers recognized the right of the state to execute but urged it not to be used. \u201cAs violence is used towards him who rebels and resists, so mercy 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 (St. Augustine, Letter, 189)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n This understanding continued down through Church history.<\/span><\/p>\n “For those who refuse to obey God’s laws, it is correct for society to rebuke them with civil and criminal sanctions. No one sins working for justice, within the law<\/strong>.” (St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Contra Gentilles, Book 3, Chapter 146)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n “Another kind of lawful slaying belongs to the civil authorities, to whom is entrusted power of life and death, by the legal and judicious exercise of which they punish the guilty and protect the innocent.” (Catechism of the Council of Trent, pg. 258)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Pope Pius X, in his catechism of 1908, states, \u201cIt is lawful to kill…in cases of necessary and lawful defense of one’s own life against an unjust aggressor.\u201d (The Fifth Commandment, Question 3)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Legitimate state authority has the right and the duty to protect the common good<\/strong>. \u201cThe political community exists\u2026for the sake of the common good, in which it finds its full justification and significance, and the source of its inherent legitimacy\u201d. (Gaudium et Spes, 74)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “Recourse to the death penalty on the part of legitimate authority, following a fair trial, was long considered an appropriate response to the gravity of certain crimes and an acceptable, albeit extreme, means of safeguarding the common good.”\u00a0(CCC, 2266)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The 1992 Catechism stated, \u201cIf bloodless means are sufficient to defend human lives against an aggressor and to protect public order and the safety of persons, public authority should limit itself to such means because they better correspond to the concrete conditions of the common good and are more in conformity to the dignity of the human person.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Pope St. John Paul II stated plainly in 1995, “Today… as a result of steady improvements in the organization of the penal system, such cases [of absolute necessity to execute offenders] are very rare, if not practically non-existent.” (Evangelium Vitae, 56)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n During his visit to the United States, the Holy Father said, “I renew the appeal I made most recently at Christmas for a consensus to end the death penalty<\/strong>, which is both cruel and unnecessary.” (Pope St. John Paul II, 5)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n Pope Benedict XVI furthered this, especially during his address to Africa, “I draw the attention of society\u2019s leaders to the need to make every effort to eliminate the death penalty<\/strong> and to reform the penal system in a way that ensures respect for the prisoners\u2019 human dignity.” (Africae Munus, 83)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Now, 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 (CCC, 2267)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \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 (Pope Francis, 269)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\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 (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/the-death-penalty\/” button_text=”Learn More About the Death Penalty” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” 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button_text_color__hover=”#054368″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/articles\/” button_text=”Back to Articles” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][\/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” 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_5,3_5,1_5″ use_custom_gutter=”on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.13.0″ 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” custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” make_fullwidth=”on” global_module=”31023″ saved_tabs=”all” 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=”100%” width_last_edited=”off|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_slide_image_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_slide_image_phone=”width: auto;||margin: 0 auto !important;”][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\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” image_alt=”Three circles containing symbols of the three principles of catholic social teaching: human dignity, subsidiarity, and solidarity.” image_tablet=”” image_phone=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/3-Key-principle-icons-resized.png” image_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” z_index=”0″ overflow-x=”hidden” overflow-y=”hidden” link_option_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 300px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” 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.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, 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.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Human Dignity” button_link=”\/human-dignity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/human-dignity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Solidarity” button_link=”\/solidarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/solidarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n Solidarity 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> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Subsidiarity” button_link=”\/subsidiarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/subsidiarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n Subsidiarity \u201cis 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)<\/a><\/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 [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][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_code _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]History of the Death Penalty in the Church<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Unlike other practices, like abortion<\/a> and homosexuality<\/a>, which received resounding condemnation from the earliest days of the Church, pronouncements on the death penalty were more nuanced. While early Christians abhorred the killing of others, preferring to be martyred than resist persecution, they recognized the state\u2019s right to capital punishment.<\/span><\/p>\nDeath Penalty \u201cPros\u201d in Church Teaching \u2014 Until Now<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Throughout history, the right of the state to execute criminals was more necessary and the arguments for the death penalty more numerous. <\/span><\/p>\nHowever… Should the Death Penalty be Allowed?
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<\/span>As the modern era set in, justice systems improved, and prisoner rehabilitation became a greater priority (and possibility). More and more offenders, even violent offenders, were shown clemency and reintroduced into society.<\/span><\/p>\nCurrent Church Teaching<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>In light of his predecessors’ teaching, Pope Francis said, “the death penalty is inadmissible<\/strong> because it is an attack on the inviolability and the dignity of the person.” (Letter to Bishops on the Death Penalty)<\/a> and the Catechism has been changed.<\/span><\/p>\nWhy the Death Penalty Should be Abolished: Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>The death penalty is \u201cinadmissible\u201d in all cases.<\/span><\/p>\nSign Up For Our Newsletter:<\/h4>\n