Capital Punishment

• Capital punishment


  A punishment that takes the life of the criminal
• Capital punishment was abolished in UK in 1965
• Capital punishment is a controversial matter
• Catholic view on capital punishment

  • It has developed over the years
  • Traditionally the death penalty was ALLOWED but not ENCOURAGED
• St Augustine: 'Seek other types of punishment, because once a person is dead there is no space to reform'
• St Augustine: 'Set free rather than avenge by shedding blood'
• St Augustine

  Lived between 354-430 AD, recognised the legal arguments for the death penalty BUT emphasised compassion and mercy
• Pope John Paul II


  Said the death penalty should only be used in 'cases of absolute necessity' and that punishments should be bloodless wherever possible
• The Catechism of the Catholic Church confirms that the death penalty is acceptable to 'protect public order'
• Pope Francis recently said that the death penalty is 'no longer justifiable' as the wrong person might be killed