STATEMENT ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT:

COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND WORLD PEACE

March 1, 1978.

The use of the death penalty involves deep moral and religious questions as well as political and legal issues. In 1974, out of a commitment to the value and dignity of human life, the Catholic bishops of the United States declared their opposition to capital punishment. We continue to support this position in the belief that a return to the use of the death penalty can only lead to the further erosion of respect for life in our society.

Violent crime in our society is a serious matter which should not be ignored. We do not challenge society’s right to punish the serious and violent offender, nor do we wish to debate the merits of the arguments concerning this right. Past history, however, shows that the death penalty in its application has been discriminating with respect to the disadvantaged, the indigent and the socially impoverished. Furthermore, recent data from corrections resources definitely question the effectiveness of the death penalty as a deterrent to crime.

We are deeply troubled by the legislative efforts being undertaken under the guise of humanitarian concern to permit execution by lethal injection. Such a practice merely seeks to conceal the reality of cruel and unusual punishment. We find this practice unacceptable.

The critical question for the Christian is how we can best foster respect for life, preserve the dignity of the human person and manifest the redemptive message of Christ. We do not believe that more deaths are the response to the question. We therefore have to seek methods of dealing with violent crime which are more consistent with the Gospel’s vision of respect for life, and Christ’s message of God’s healing love. In the sight of God, correction of the offender has taken preference over punishment, for the Lord came to save and not to condemn.

United States Catholic Conference

Committee on Social Development & World Peace

3211 4th Street NE

Washington, DC 20017