Since 1976, the United States alone has participated in the execution of 1,475 men and women. In Texas alone, they lead the number of executions by accounting for 550 total executions. Although the Death Penalty has seen a decline in the number of executions since the 1976, the death penalty is still legal in 31 states. The Death Penalty has consistently been occurring throughout the world since the early 1600’s and is still in need of drastic change. Even with the total number of executions having gone down since its peak in 1998 at 98 total executions, there have been 9 executions since the start of 2018, and 61 inmates currently await death row. Although in the past 25 years, the church has since addressed the capital punishment and since
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The form of executing a man for his sins, has consistently been occurring throughout the world since the 1600’s. According to the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops), the bishops first called for an end to the death penalty nearly forty years ago. The bishops saw the 1995-2000’s as a time to address the death penalty, because at the time, it was the most the United States had ever seen. This action was a time to teach clearly, encourage reflection, and call an end to the inhumane act of taking another’s life. Since the first addressing of the death penalty, the church has consistently renewed its opposition towards the death penalty through papal addresses and encyclicals, because it goes against their strong belief of all lives matter. Although some states in the United States have abandoned the method of taking one’s life, many states continue to seek the death penalty as an option. Pope John Paul II renews his objection of the death penalty because any sign of hope is the recollection that the dignity of human life must never be taken away. Furthermore, Pope John Paul II can relate his opposition of the death penalty to Deuteronomy, because Jesus has “set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live (Deuteronomy …show more content…
In accordance with Pope John Paul II, nowadays society has the necessary means to protect itself, without denying a prisoner the chance at reform. With that being said, the dignity of human life must never be taken away, even if one has done evil. Originally, the Church thought the death penalty was a justified action, although nearly 40 years ago the church addressed its opposition towards the unjust act. Since then, they’re have been various oppositions towards the church’s teaching. Although the Church has remained true to their teachings towards the death penalty, their have been many outside groups/people that have rejected the idea of abolishing the death penalty because of the belief it does good. In fact, it is estimated that 45% of white catholics support the death penalty, whereas just 29% of Hispanic catholics are projected to support the death penalty. The Church addresses these beliefs with the idea that if we remove the option of the death penalty then maybe it could bring a new culture of life to the society and world the people live in
The form of executing a man for his sins, has consistently been occurring throughout the world since the 1600’s. According to the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops), the bishops first called for an end to the death penalty nearly forty years ago. The bishops saw the 1995-2000’s as a time to address the death penalty, because at the time, it was the most the United States had ever seen. This action was a time to teach clearly, encourage reflection, and call an end to the inhumane act of taking another’s life. Since the first addressing of the death penalty, the church has consistently renewed its opposition towards the death penalty through papal addresses and encyclicals, because it goes against their strong belief of all lives matter. Although some states in the United States have abandoned the method of taking one’s life, many states continue to seek the death penalty as an option. Pope John Paul II renews his objection of the death penalty because any sign of hope is the recollection that the dignity of human life must never be taken away. Furthermore, Pope John Paul II can relate his opposition of the death penalty to Deuteronomy, because Jesus has “set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live (Deuteronomy …show more content…
In accordance with Pope John Paul II, nowadays society has the necessary means to protect itself, without denying a prisoner the chance at reform. With that being said, the dignity of human life must never be taken away, even if one has done evil. Originally, the Church thought the death penalty was a justified action, although nearly 40 years ago the church addressed its opposition towards the unjust act. Since then, they’re have been various oppositions towards the church’s teaching. Although the Church has remained true to their teachings towards the death penalty, their have been many outside groups/people that have rejected the idea of abolishing the death penalty because of the belief it does good. In fact, it is estimated that 45% of white catholics support the death penalty, whereas just 29% of Hispanic catholics are projected to support the death penalty. The Church addresses these beliefs with the idea that if we remove the option of the death penalty then maybe it could bring a new culture of life to the society and world the people live in