Dear Catholic Exchange:
I have been a proponent of the death penalty, not because I think it is a deterrent to violent crime, but because I can't imagine perpetrators of some crimes being allowed to live. I think I feel most strongly when it comes to children being brutally murdered. It makes me feel better to know that there is some type of retribution.
After reading the article on the death penalty posted on your site, I must admit it takes more strength and belief to be opposed to the death penalty. If, God forbid, something happened to a loved one of mine, I think the death penalty would be the only thing that would bring closure to my situation and make me feel better. Intellectually, I realize forgiveness is probably the better route to take, but I don’t know if I would have the strength for that.
I will continue to consider this issue and hope that I have the strength and conviction to change my beliefs on the death penalty.
God bless,
Tom Macdonald
Dear Tom,
Many of us share your struggle with this issue, especially when one considers cases such as the Van Damm girl's murder or the snipers in D.C., who would kill again in a heartbeat if they could figure out how to escape. Our ability to treat with compassion the despised and utterly unforgivable is a true test of a Christian.
Here is some additional material for you to read on the subject. As you'll see, the matter is by no means settled in faithful Catholic circles.
In Christ,
Tom Allen
Editor, CE
Political Parties
Dear Editors of Catholic Exchange:
Thank you for posting Mr. Hicks' letter and your rebuttal thereto. Perhaps the best way for Catholic laymen and women to approach today's political scene is not to view matters in a “Republican vs. Democrat” scenario but, rather, in a “liberal vs. conservative” mindset. With this view, Catholics, and perhaps all Christians, would have a better benchmark to aid in their voting.
No one can rightly argue that liberalism is not responsible for the deterioration of our culture and societal mores. Indeed, it is liberalism, not conservatism that has been condemned by the Church. Also condemned by the Church are various means/tactics employed by liberals, including its bent towards socialism, affinity for moral relativism and proclivity for class warfare.
It is important to distinguish between the actions of any one political representative and the ideology of their party in general. One politician's crimes and/or misdemeanors cannot and does not negate the soundness of his/her ideology, just as much as the sins of one Catholic do not void the validity of the Faith.
Thanks very much for all the wonderful content of your site.
God Bless,
Ronald Hoonhout
True Community
Dear Catholic Exchange:
Barbara Nicolosi’s article touched on a reality that I have not, until now, been able to put into words:
The ultimate source of lasting community is not found only in physical proximity, or else we would find community in every line at the grocery store. Community comes when people cleave together to the same Truth.
This just proves why that venerable Catholic institution, “Hospitality Sunday,” where coffee and donuts are served after Sunday Mass, will only ever be, at best, marginally effective at building
Catholic community. To loosely quote another prominent Catholic, as long as “Catholic Lite” reigns supreme in our parishes, we will never succeed in re-building authentic Catholic culture.
Thanks, Barbara, for your insight.
Lino DeGasperis
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
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