State-sanctioned killing is always wrong. Missouri can’t use death penalty even more | Opinion
Justice demands that society begin with the recognition that each human person is created in the image and likeness of God and must work in all its endeavors towards the benefit of the human person. Respect for human dignity is the foundation for the vision of society and makes it necessary to “consider every neighbor without exception as another self, taking into account first of all their life and the means necessary for living it with dignity,” as the Catholic Church teaches.
Human dignity requires all of us to live in a way that makes the mercy of God known. God’s command, “Thou shall not kill,” admits no exceptions. That is why state Sen. Mike Moon’s proposal to extend Missouri’s death penalty to apply to offenses other than murder is unjust and must not become law.
The state-sanctioned execution of more than 1,500 people in the United States since 1976, as well as the approximately 2,500 people currently on death row, is an affront to our understanding of human dignity. In addition, by the at least 196 people and counting who have been exonerated due to their innocence since 1973, and the cruel and unusual effects arising from botched executions, demand that we end the death penalty and uphold the dignity of all life. The prolonged nature of the death penalty process can perpetuate the trauma for victim’s families and prevents the opportunity for healing and reconciliation.
Jesus‘ directive to us is: “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7) Peace is not achieved through upholding the law, but through our acts of mercy. Our actions need to lead to conversion of heart and that allow our hearts to be open to God’s help. “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.” (John 8:11) It is clear that mercy, particularly toward those in need of forgiveness, is not just an act of kindness, but is at the heart of the gospel message.
As Pope John Paul II stated in 1995: “If bloodless means are sufficient to defend human lives against an aggressor and to protect public order and the safety of persons, public authority must limit itself to such means, because they better correspond to the concrete conditions of the common good and are more in conformity to the dignity of the human person.” The death penalty does not align with any understanding of human dignity and needs to be abolished in the United States.
The death penalty is a state-sanctioned way of killing (murder) that is the most cold blooded, carefully planned and calculated form of revenge killing in our society, far more than the people being executed ever used on their victims. It has never been proven to be an effective deterrent for would-be killers, nor does it prevent the innocent from being convicted. It has not brought peace to the families of the victims or the offended parties.
Some offenders are not mentally competent or were minors at the time of their crime. It also cheapens human life and weakens the moral fiber of our society.
Cold-blooded killing somebody by the state is a greater cost to society in tax dollars than life without parole. It is no way of demonstrating that it is wrong to kill. Gov. Mike Parson, I hope you will see that this wrongheaded proposed legislation never becomes the law in Missouri.