Vatican declaration on the execution of Saddam Hussein
Print Friendly VersionDECLARATION OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE PRESS OFFICE OF THE HOLY SEE, FR. FEDERICO LOMBARDI S.J.
With regard to the capital punishment of Saddam Hussein, which happened last night, the director of Press Office of the Holy See, Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J., released the following declaration to journalists this morning:
Capital punishment is always tragic news, a motive of sadness, even when it’s a case of a person guilty of grave crimes.
The position of the Catholic Church against the death penalty has been confirmed many times.
The execution of the guilty party is not a path to reconstruct justice and to reconcile society. Indeed, there is the risk that, on the contrary, it may augment the spirit of revenge and sow seeds of new violence.
In this dark time in the life of the Iraqi people, it can only be hoped that all the responsible parties truly will make every effort so that, in this dramatic situation, possibilities of reconciliation and peace may finally be opened.
Right. Killing a person
Right. Killing a person because that person killed is not a deterrent for more killing. It is back to an eye for an eye, etc.
New subject.
The TV of the Pope on the balcony would have resonated better with the larger audience - all those outside a Catholic
background - if he was in regular priest garb instead of the formal garb which includes that ridiculas hat. He said all the right things. His dress appearance detracted from the message.
If it was really an eye for
If it was really an eye for an eye, hundreds of thousands of Saddam's tribe would have to be killed as well. There aren't enough people in Tikrit to allow for true eye-for-eye revenge.
This execution was more to give peace to many who feared he would somehow escape and make his way back to power than to give revenge to a few bloodthirsty savages. The right of a people to live without fear of sadistic and unrepentant criminals is rarely, to my knowledge, addressed when the Vatican makes statements about death penalties. (Other than the laughable claim that modern technology makes it possible to guarantee that a prisoner will never escape.)
I and many of my friends
I and many of my friends were terribly upset with the fact that the United States washed its hands of the case with Saddam Hussein. Killing the man was a power play. It showed the world that killing can be done from an authoritative position.
The Church would have more credibility if it also condemned the torture and dehumanizing treatment that Jesus was given before he was so cruelly hung and left to die a slow and painful death. If the church had 1700 years ago had said that Jesus was lynched (in Latin of course) and not treated in any ceremonious and respectful manner, thing might have been different.
Peace!
Jesus Died because he couldn't use violence in his defense.