Catholic Mobilizing Network
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
A Forum on Capital Punishment
Saturday, February 2, 2013 e 9:30am—3:00pm
Sponsored by Respect Life and Social Justice Office
Diocese of Wichita, Kansas
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
“| just think
it’s tacky.”
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
The 2 Death
Penalties
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
When May
| Kill?
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
Baptism calls us to exercise
Faithful Citizenship
We have the power to
influence beyond what we
know
It is about political
responsibility not just
about a particular election
We use very practical ways
to influence public debate
and policy
We have a consistent moral
framework: the life and
dignity of every person
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
ontact Us ErvacyPotey — (@) ENEWSLETTER 6 Assreens ‘Ej Jomus on FaceB00K = EooKNARK ELE
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
Moral principles of Scripture and
Catholic Moral and Social Doctrine
Family, community,
participation
Rights and
responsibility
Option for the poor and
vulnerable
Dignity of work and
rights of workers
Solidarity
Caring for God’s
creation
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
Assuming that the guilty party's identity and responsibility have been fully
determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the
death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives
against the unjust aggressor.
If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people's safety
from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in
keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and more in conformity
with the dignity of the human person.
Today, in fact, as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for
effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offense
incapable of doing harm—without definitively taking away from him the possibility
of redeeming himself—the cases in which the execution of the offender is an
absolute necessity "are very rare, if not practically non-existent."
Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition
Assuming that the guilty party's
identity and responsibility have been
fully determined, the traditional
teaching of the Church does not
exclude recourse to the death penalty,
if this is the only possible way of
effectively defending human lives
against the unjust aggressor.
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition
If, however, non-lethal means are
sufficient to defend and protect
people's safety from the aggressor,
authority will limit itself to such
means, as these are more in keeping
with the concrete conditions of the
common good and more in conformity
with the dignity of the human person.
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition
Today, in fact, as a consequence of the
possibilities which the state has for
effectively preventing crime, by rendering
one who has committed an offense
incapable of doing harm—without
definitively taking away from him the
possibility of redeeming himself—the
cases in which the execution of the
offender is an absolute necessity "are
very rare, if not practically non-existent."
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
“the cases in which the
execution of the offender
is an absolute necessity
“are very rare, if not
practically non-existent.”
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
=
Timothy
McVeigh
Saddam
Hussein
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
@).1wo FeetaLove i Astin
Love cukivates compassion in our hearts and solidarity with our brothers and sisters in need,
and moves us to respond in an ongoing and continuous manner. The "Two Feet of Love in
Action” describe how love is concretely expressed in action. In the table below, first reflect on
how the Social Justice and Charitable Works responses are different. Why are both types of
responses necessary? Second, in the last row, choose an issue you are interested in and then
write down some possible ways to respond. In the first column, focus on Social Justice actions
‘hat can help address root causes. In the second column identfy Charitable Works that can
‘id indviduale-
Social baste
~ Fons on te hs and ates of
inaweisi, fares anda esion
~ Arles socal shuts ard
General
al | - Werks forlongtem socal chang.
<fatses e ucee ss
uses of nchwaus probes
= Seeks st ans fa soc
stu, snd peace
ee a
Example:
Responses to. | - Adopt protamty publi poles tat
Abortion | hep fares wih cicren
|_| = Rage the minor wage 50
Example: | workers can afford housing
Reseanses 12. | Expand efferdable housing
«Expand ieb wainina eopertnities
and educetion
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
CATHOLIC
MOBILIZING
NETWORK
TO END THE USE OF PROMOTE
THE DEATH PENALTY RESTORATIVE JUSTICE Search 2. |
MISSION PROGRAMS CURRICULUM RESOURCES BY STATE ENESPANOL | ABOUT
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Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
CATHOLIC
MOBILIZING
NETWORK
TO END THE USE OF PROMOTE
THE DEATH PENALTY RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
MISSION PROGRAMS CURRICULUM RESOURCES BY STATE
HISTORY
SPONSORS
INSPIRATION
RESTORATIVE
JUSTICE
PASTORAL
STATEMENTS
STATEMENTS
FROMRELIGIOUS fm
CONGREGATIONS
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
PUBLICATIONS READ OUR NEWSLETTER
Death Penalty Legislative Talking Points
25, CMN has drafted Legislative Talking Points,
January 2013 - Ler
In response to requ fet one
9. and Lents
ate-spetific information on the death penalty
advocacy days in your
sions. Let. MORE View Past Newsletters
Pope John Paul Il, 1999 TER
ath penalty for
INEndtheDP
JustFaith JustMatters Series: Sanctity of ALL Life (CMNEnatheD!
The Catholic Church teaches that, as a git from God, even sacred from conception cMNEnatneDP
to natural death. This concept of the worth and dignty of all human ife is the core Dethanty to 5
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atholic social teaching. The JustFaith Ministries Sanct
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Renewing a Culture of Life: The Death Penalty, Restorative Justice and teiees eevee ual
Catholic Social Teaching pons
booklets @ pubieation of Catholic Mobiizing Network, produced in cose _
Sboration with the US. Cordorence of Cat Lchaarecdddin CchtnEnatneDP een deroox
2, Justice and Human Cevelop itpcnas ak rei spenademuerte
that have been made toward the goal of ending . MORE Pe ae
What Every Catholic Should Know about the Death Penalty Fact Sheet CCMMNEnatneDP Covrioss wns
This but
penatty: "
explanation of
We perspective on crime and
pur Ins with the recognition that the dignity of the human person applies to both
victims and offenders. It affirms our commitment to comfort and support victims and their. MORE yesterday-repty-retweet
Where Justice and Mercy Meet: Catholic Opposition to the Death Penalty Join the conversation
By David Matzko McCarthy, Trudy D, Conway, and Vicki Schieber, Editors
Forward by Sister Helen Pre
Opposition to the Death Penalty
against capital pun
essays by faculty fr
S)_ Where Justice and Mercy Meet: Catholi
hensively explores the Catholic stan:
ment in new and important ways thraugh a numb
it Mary's University in Emmistburg, . MORE
Bevond the Death Penalty: The Develooment in Catholic Social Teachina
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
More than a 60% error rate in capital sentencing
Inadequate Retention of Evidence
Law Enforcement Inadequately Protects Against
Wrongful Convictions
Inconsistent Application of the Death Penalty
Judges fail to instruct jurors adequately about
sentencing guidelines
Public Defender caseloads exceed national standards
No statewide standards regarding
defense attorney qualifications
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
Bulletin Slut
parishioners,
announcements i
friends
j
By Voting
Influence
What we do
Communicating
with legislators
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
The Way Involved in the political process but not
partisan, never championing any candidate or
We Do party |
e e
Things is ‘)
| m port a n Church is principled but not ideological
t 4
Clear about moral teaching but always civil,
practice virtues of justice and charity, work
with others
J
Engaged in the political process but not used
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
M e et W it h Communicate information
Yo Uu r Dispel myths
Legis | ato rs Respond to questions
Emphasize your significance
y)
Xp V D
resource during legislative
Begin to develop a
relationship for the long haul
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
Anyone wishing to renounce the difficult
yet noble task of improving the lot of man
in his totality and of all people, because
the struggle is difficult and that constant
effort is required, or simply because of the
experience of defeat and the need to begin
again, that person would be betraying the
will of the Creator.
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
Catholic Mobilizing Network
“| just think
it’s tacky.”
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
What you do to these men you do to God.
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, San Quentin
Capital Punishment: Who Is It Serving
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