Scripture references
Scripture refers to the death pentaly through Cain and Abel. Cain kills his brother, Abel, out of jealousy and anger. When God finds out, He punishes Cain. God does not kill Cain simply because he killed his brother, but He put a mark on him showing he was a murder and will live to deal with the pain and guilt of killing his brother. This clearly shows how the church feels about the death penatly. If God let Cain live and showed him a bit of mercy, we should do the same. Although some of the criminals are not inncoent, they were still created by God and by His law are given a chance to redeem themselves, if the state takes their lives away, it is denying them their rights as a catholic human being.
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