CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING AND THE DEATH PENALTY

January 4, 2021

In July, the federal government resumed capital punishment for the first time in 17 years. Catholic Social Teaching is rooted in a belief in the inherent dignity of the human person and the sanctity of all life. Made in the image and likeness of God, the human person stands at the heart of the Church’s understanding of justice. As Catholics, we believe in a consistent ethic of life, which extends from conception to natural death. Capital punishment contradicts this ethic. By allowing the state to end a life before natural death, the death penalty does not conform to our pro-life teaching. The death penalty not only violates the sanctity of human life, it also threatens innocent life. Despite our best efforts, our criminal justice system imperfect. For every nine people who have been executed since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, one has been proven innocent. For more information visit: https://catholicsmobilizing.org