X - CLOSE

Make your gift today!

Help keep Catholics around the world educated and informed.

$1000
$500
$100
$50
$25
$
$5 USD is the minimum online donation. All donations are tax deductible in the US.
One Time
Monthly

Already donated? Log in to stop seeing these donation pop-ups.

Catholic World News

Utah bishop laments execution by firing squad

June 09, 2010

Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City has criticized the scheduled June 18 execution of Ronnie Lee Gardner by firing squad. The method of execution was chosen at the convicted murderer’s request. “The firing squad is archaic, it’s violent, and it simply expands on the violence that we already experience from guns as a society,” said Bishop Wester.

 


For all current news, visit our News home page.


 
Further information:
Sound Off! CatholicCulture.org supporters weigh in.

All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!

  • Posted by: - Jun. 09, 2010 11:30 PM ET USA

    I agree with Gaby. To justify executing someone--if that's even possible--we need to deter others from committing crimes. That's only genuinely possible if the execution is both public AND horrifying. Let's quit trying to "humanize" an act that is inherently inhumane.

  • Posted by: - Jun. 09, 2010 5:12 PM ET USA

    Execution is barbaric no matter how it's performed. I'd take a firing squad over lethal injection any day. Sanitizing death with doctors, drugs, gurneys, IV's, pain medication, and one-way mirrors is WAY worse than just shooting someone quick and painless.