The position of the Catholic Church against capital punishment has caused soul searching among many of the faithful, especially in the United States, where the culture promotes punishment for wrongdoing and vengeance against aggressors. Many have found it difficult to reconcile the position of the Catholic Church with their own.

But the Catholic Church believes in the sanctity of human life. Even a prisoner on Death Row, because he or she is human, deserves the respect owed to any human being as a child of God.

In the first book of Samuel, David had the opportunity to kill his enemy, King Saul, and assume the throne. He discovered Saul asleep, his spear nearby, and all the soldiers slumbering. All David had to do was pick up the spear and thrust it into the king.

But he could not do it. “Who can lay hands on the Lord’s anointed and remain unpunished?” he wondered. David slew plenty of other enemies, but in one brief moment he glimpsed the truth about human life: It belongs to God.

Written by Paul Turner. Liturgy Training Publications.
Copyright 2003, Archdiocese of Chicago