by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI
The statement by the Bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) on September 21 calling for the abolition of the death penalty in the region, is timely, particularly as tomorrow, October 10, the world will observe World Day Against the Death Penalty.
The statement should be read in conjunction with their brief statement issued on July 4 and with two of their pastoral letters, namely: (a) Jubilee Year 2000, Antilles Episcopal Conference Pastoral Letter on Capital Punishment; and (b) We are called to proclaim, celebrate and serve The Gift of Life, Pastoral Letter of the Antilles Episcopal Conference, Rome, March 29, 2008. I share hereunder extracts from the statement.
The Bishops reaffirm that “the prophetic voice of the Church must be heard especially in times of moral and social crisis. Thus, while we are appalled by the rise of violent crime in our region and express solidarity with the victims of crime and all those affected by crime, we urge politicians and citizens in our region to abolish capital punishment, that is, the death penalty and embrace a restorative justice approach to crime and violence…. A restorative justice approach focuses on holding the offender accountable in a more meaningful way and helping to achieve a sense of healing for both the victim(s) and the community; it embraces socialization, rehabilitation and reconciliation rather than retribution and vengeance…
“We stated in our Pastoral Letter, The Gift of Life (2008) that ‘Very often those who support capital punishment invoke the text, ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’ (the lex talionis – Lev 24:20). This was, of course a most important development in the Old Testament’s understanding of justice. Justice must not seek revenge. The punishment due from injustice must be rational and not excessive. However, the lex talionis was not the last word on this matter. In fact, Jesus gave us the last word: ‘You have heard that it was said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you: do not oppose evil with evil’ (Mt 5:38-39).’ Of course Jesus became the best example of this teaching as he was an innocent man who became the victim of capital punishment…
“All recent International studies and research show that capital punishment does not act as a deterrent, nor does it foster respect for life in our communities. Hence, regardless of the potential unpopularity of our Gospel message that informs our position, we reaffirm the position: Capital punishment symbolizes a form of despair for the effective reform of persons… Let us pray and work for the renewal of hearts and minds and find more sustainable and effective solutions aimed at reducing crime and violence in our region and in the world…
“We urge our Governments to strengthen the capacity of public institutions, including criminal justice systems, to address crime and violence; to address the risk factors that contribute to crime, for example: poverty, urban decay, social inequality and exclusion, family disintegration, poor parenting, lack of quality education and employment, poor housing, the proliferation of guns, drugs and gangs in the region, and to employ related preventive measures. We stand ready and urge our faithful and all people of good will to work together to this end…
“We stand with Archbishop Patrick Pinder, President of the Antilles Episcopal Conference, in his expression of solidarity with the victims of crime. Delivering the homily at the Red Mass in Nassau in 2009, he said: ‘It is important to note that while we oppose the death penalty, we embrace the victims of violent crimes; those who are hurting and grieving for their loved ones who have been killed, at times in the most heinous ways. We urge each parish to establish victim support groups and seek to meet their physical, mental, spiritual, financial and other needs… Faithful to the mission of Jesus Christ who came ‘that they may have life and have it abundantly’ (John 10:10), we… once again wish to proclaim, celebrate and serve the gift of life.’”
The Bishops remind readers that Pope Francis has repeatedly called for the abolition of the death penalty, which, he says, “is an offence to the inviolability of life and to the dignity of the human person”. He is urging nations to realise that God’s infinite mercy extends to everyone – including those who have committed heinous crimes.
He has said: “For the rule of law, the death penalty represents a failure, as it obliges the state to kill in the name of justice. There is discussion in some quarters about the method of killing, as if it were possible to find ways of ‘getting it right’. But there is no humane way of killing another person… The commandment ‘thou shall not kill’ has absolute value and pertains to the innocent as well as the guilty.”
