August 11, 2018

The Sin of Capital Punishment

     
     I am on my vacation and just heard the news; Pope Francis has instructed the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to make a revision in the Official Catechism of the Catholic Church.  The revision is in the section on Capital Punishment.  Pope Francis has stated that Capital Punishment is always morally objectionable. It is great news but, unfortunately, suffers great confusion by both non-Catholics and Catholics alike.  I thought it might be helpful to bring some clarity to the discussion by explaining exactly what has changed.  But first, we will have to allow a convention of terms: for the following article Capital Punishment is being used synonomusly with the Death Penalty.  

     So, what is the actual teaching of Pope Francis?  Are you ready?  Nothing new.  That's right. The Church has been teaching strongly since Pope Saint John Paul II that Capital Punishment is morally wrong.  It was reafirmed by Pope Benedict XVI.  But now, it is being added as a part of the Catholic Catechism.  I can imagine that many of you who have heard this news think that the Pope is a bit out of touch.  Capital Punishment is being used in many states of our country and many, many countries around the world.  I know the story of a close friend of mine that had to sit on a jury dealing with a murderer who even while in prison was directing his gang members to commit crimes, including further murder.  In fact, the prosecuting attorney was able to prove that if he is sentanced to life in prision he is resourceful enough to  have revenge on the jury themselves.  So, is the Church out of touch?  Well, let’s break down the difference between a sentence and a punishment.

     When a person breaks laws, especially serious laws against a society, it is perfectly just to have a trial and to give a sentence.  This sentence can be a requirement to pay some amount of money, spend some time doing community work, or to spend a specified number of days, months or years in a penal system (jail or prison).  The goal is not only to make restitution for the crime but also to have a chance to realize the gravity of one’s actions and to have a change of heart.  Unfortunately, it has also been popular throughout history for some governments to impose Capital Punishment as one more option for serious crimes.  But this is not the same as the story of my friend.  In her case, she and the rest of the jury were faced with a man who was a viable threat to the safety of others while in prison.  Since it was evident that he could not be isolated from the world enough to protect others, the jury agreed that he was to be executed.  Notice that they did not make their decision as a punishment.  Rather, it was as a means of protecting the innocent. 

     Capital Punishment has two main motivations: 1.) to act as a deterrent - using individuals as examples to others not to commit the same crimes, and 2.) as a way of ‘getting even’.  The Church is saying that human life is precious and a gift of God.  While we might be required to discipline and hold another accountable for abusive behavior, we are never free to violate the dignity of that person. 

     Taking a life out of self-defense or the defense of others is in no way an act of punishing.  Therefore, it does not fall under the teaching on Capital Punishment.  However, in the court system, if a person can be lawfully and safely contained, with no threat to the safety of the public, Capital Punishment must not be considered an option.  Human Life is Sacred.  Our efforts must include prayers and actions toward changing even the most hardened of hearts.  After that, let God is Judge.

     So, why did I share this with you, our high school youth?  Because it is very likely that by the time you are old enough to vote, the question of whether Texas should end Capital Punishment will be on the docket.  I want you to sign petitions and to vote well informed.  To do God's work, you must be self-informed.

Peace and Joy!



April 24, 2018

                                                 Love is Deep

     There has been much in the news these days about individuals acting out in violent ways, bringing pain and suffering to many innocent people.  School shootings, vehicles deliberately driving into crowds of people, homemade bombs on doorsteps... It seems to just go on and on.  How are you as younger members of the Church expected to deal with so much violence?  More importantly, how are you to respond in faith?

     Yes it is the real question, and it has a real answer.  We are to respond to violence by love; Yes love.  Remember that there is a world of difference between a feeling of love and a choice to love.  Jesus spoke of love to us many times as he walked his path to the cross.  But, you might be surprised to hear that not once was he talking about love as a 'feeling'.  And we should be very happy about this.  Because, if Jesus were only talking about the feelings of love, he would have never allowed himself to be beaten, whipped, spit on, kicked, push, shoved, insulted, nailed to a wood cross and hung there to die.  No chance!  He would have walked the other way. 

     What gave him the ability to accept all of these things is his choice to do what he did not feel like doing.  While his emotions were saying 'this is an ugly people', his spirit, his reason, his heart was saying, regardless of how I feel I choose to love them all; love us all.  Jesus had to go deep within himself to find that true love.  It was underneath the emotions and the pain.  But, once he got under there, he found a wealth of love that he could tap into.  It is there that he had always encountered his Father.  It is where real prayer happens.  He was used to going there.  For him, when the violence began, he knew where he needed to go in order to take hold of that love.  He chose it.  And through it, he chose us.

     But, what does that teach us about dealing with violence?  Well, we must first be used to going into that deep place inside our hearts where God lives.  We must be comfortable with this place of love.  When we see or experience the violence some will inflict, we must be ready to choose to love the violent, to pray for them, to forgive them, and to realize that our acts of love may be all there is to save them from themselves.  In such times, emotions will be our enemy.  So, go deep.

Peace and Joy!