THE DEATH PENALTY REVISITED

Earlier this month--on November 6--the Birmingham [Alabama] News editorial page began a six-day exploration of the death penalty in Alabama.  To quote:  What we have done is look at capital punishment in the context of some of our strongly held views on other life-and-death issues. In the course of that inquiry, we found it increasingly hard to reconcile our traditional support for the death penalty with our reverence of life, as expressed in our consistent opposition to abortion on demand, embryonic stem-cell research and euthanasia.  Eventually, the editors concluded:

     Put simply, supporting the death penalty is inconsistent with our convictions about the value of life, convictions that are evident in our editorial positions opposing abortion, embryonic stem-cell research and euthanasia. We believe all life is sacred. And in embracing a culture of life, we cannot make distinctions between those we deem 'innocents' and those flawed humans who populate Death Row. 

Faith tells us we all are imperfect, but we're not beyond redemption. We believe it's up to God to say when a life has no more purpose on this Earth.

This six-part series, which relies in part on the teaching of John Paul II (Catholics have come a long way in Alabama!), is must reading for anyone interested in the morality of capital punishment.

To read the whole series, click here.
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