.- As
the state of Missouri prepares for a highly-publicized trial due to
challenge the constitutionality of lethal injection, the state’s
Catholic bishops are calling on faithful to reject the practice of
capital punishment overall as an excess which opposes the dignity of
the human person.
They pointed out
that while a death sentence “offers the illusion of closure and
vindication”, that “no act, even an execution can bring back a loved
one or heal terrible wounds. The pain and loss of death can not be
wiped away by another death.”
Citing the
recent U.S. Catholic Bishop’s document, “A Culture of Life and the
Penalty of Death”, they said that while “The Church has acknowledged
the right of the state to use the death penalty in order to protect
society…the Church insists that the state should forego the exercise of
this right if other non-lethal options are available.”
The bishops
urged “all Catholics to pray that the court will rule in favor of life
and condemn the practice of lethal injection. We would ask that, as
witnesses to life, you take one step further and address our elected
representatives on the state and federal level to voice our opposition
to capital punishment and support a halt in executions.”
“Let them know”, they stressed, “that more violence is not a solution to society’s problems.”
They likewise
quoted the late Pope John Paul II who, in his Encyclical, the Gospel of
Life, urged Catholics to be “unconditionally pro-life.”
The bishop’s
March 30th letter was signed by St. Louis’ Archbishop Raymond Burke,
and Bishop Robert Hermann, Jefferson City’s Bishop John Gaydos, Kansas
City-St. Joseph’s Bishop Robert Finn, and Bishop Emeritus Raymond
Boland and Springfield-Cape Giradeau’s Bishop John Leibrecht.
Archbishop Burke, other Missouri bishops call on Catholics to reject death penalty
Related news
- Florida bishops urge governor to grant clemency to two on death row
- US bishops asked Schwarzenegger to grant Williams’ clemency
- Legal expert ponders action against death penalty, abortion
- Catholic Bishops continue to call for end of Death penalty, in reaction to grace granted for 1000th Death penalty by Virginia Governor
Related articles
* The number of messages that can be online is limited. CNA reserves the right to edit messages for content and tone. Comments and opinions expressed by users do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of CNA. CNA will not publish comments with abusive language, insults or links to other pages
Featured Videos
May
22
Liturgical Calendar
May 22, 2013
Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary TimeAll readings:
Today »This year »
Catholic Daily
Gospel of the Day
Mc 9,38-40
Gospel
Date
05/22/13
05/21/13
05/20/13
Homily of the Day
Mc 9,38-40
Homily
Date
05/22/13
05/21/13
05/20/13
Most Popular
Ads by AdsLiveMedia.com
