Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
July 17, 2002
Time to debate death penalty is now
The following was sent to the Rocky Mountain News as a letter to the editor in response to an article that appeared in its July 10 issue.
By James P. Tatten
I suspect that a number of readers who follow the public debate on the death penalty were surprised by Jean Torkelson's article, "Archbishop seeks to delay decision," which appeared in the Rocky Mountain News, on Wednesday, July 10.
Quite frankly, Torkelson's unfortunate mix of statements, ideas and conclusions mischaracterize Archbishop Charles J. Chaput's view of the recent special meeting of the Colorado General Assembly and the Catholic Church's teaching on the death penalty.
The time to debate the death penalty is now. Because of the inherent limitations of a special session, the Legislature's decision to move from a three-judge sentencing panel to a unanimous jury should be viewed only as the first step in an important process.
The recent decisions from the United States Supreme Court, together with testimony presented during last week's special session, clearly indicate a pressing need for the governor and the members of the General Assembly to engage in a disciplined and focused re-examination of Colorado's death penalty law.
The death penalty is cruel and unnecessary. Colorado has a penal system and the resources to justly punish and control those who commit violent and heinous crimes. Although theoretically defensible within the Catholic tradition, it is clear today that support for the death penalty is inconsistent with Catholic convictions concerning punishment, justice, and human dignity.
As Pope John Paul II has said, all Catholics are called to be unconditionally pro-life, which includes and requires recognizing the dignity of someone who has done great evil.
James P. Tatten is executive director of the Colorado Catholic Conference.
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