Utah bishop laments execution
June 21, 2010
Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City issued a statement of regret after the June 18 execution of Ronnie Lee Garner, a convicted murderer. The bishop voiced the hope that society can “move beyond the death penalty and thus affirm the dignity and sanctity of all human life.” Capital punishment, he said, perpetuates the “tragic illusion that we can defend life by taking life.”
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Posted by: Minnesota Mary -
Jun. 22, 2010 4:57 PM ET USA
Gregory, I seem to recall that Jesus told Pilate that his power to execute Him came from above. The Church has always recognized the legitimate right of the state to execute. With an average of 100 executions per year, so many of our prelates are bent out of shape over capital punishment, but so calm when there are over a million abortions per year. It seems to me that their priorities are skewed toward sympathy for the hardened killer instead of the innocent babes in the womb. Go figure!
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Posted by: Gregory108 -
Jun. 21, 2010 11:11 PM ET USA
Minnesota: I don't know, but something tells me our killing killers was not what Jesus meant when he said, "Blessed are they who thirst for justice...." I don't know, but something tells me that God is perfectly capable of effecting the death of a killer, if true justice demands it. Something tells me He does not need our help. Apparently God was not that concerned with "us" executing "justice" on the first killer, Cain. In fact, he forbade it. Or maybe He saw His error and changed His mind.
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Posted by: Minnesota Mary -
Jun. 21, 2010 8:24 PM ET USA
I'd like to see the Bishop express the hope that society can move beyond vicious murders which are the reason some states enforce capital punishment because it is necessary if for no other reason than "Justice demands it." "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice.. ."
