Letters

The death sentence cannot be justified

Anne Lastman

Contents - Aug 2015 Pope Francis’ rallying call for the poor Obituary: Fr Greg Jordan: an exemplary Jesuit - AD2000 Report Confraternity of Christ the Priest’s Diamond Jubilee - Fr Thomas Casanova Marriage: We must stand up for marriage and the family: Archbishop Fisher - Archbishop Anthony Fisher 5: Greek Orthodox Church’s Encyclical on marriage - AD2000 Report Africa: Nigerian bishops decry “propagation of the homosexual lifestyle” Abortion: Pervasive effects of abortion on women and society - Anne Lastman The Holy Land: Believers in Israel - Andrew Scholl Letters: Help Myanmar flood victims - Brother Michael Lynch Letters: The death sentence cannot be justified - Anne Lastman Letters: “Same-sex marriage”: how much support? - Arnold Jago Letters: Don’t watch the ABC News! - Dr Tim Coyle Letters: Helping children with gender identity issues - Gillian Gonzalez Letters: Planned Parenthood scandal - Peter Callinan Books: THE EAR OF THE HEART: An Actress’ Journey from Hollywood to Holy Vows - Michael E Daniel (reviewer) Books: THE 33 DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH, by Fr Christopher Rengers - Paul Simmons (reviewer) Reflection: The doctrine of the Assumption - Pope Pius XII

I write in response to Mr Scheiner’s letter to editor concerning the death sentence and my take on it.

I have recently read His Holiness Pope Francis speak on this issue and say that in these times there is no need for death sentence. We can and must find ways to deal with wrong doers in humane rather than primitive ways.

What was humane about keeping two convicted drug traffickers and others in prison for ten years and then executing them? And further which part of the commandments or beatitudes say that its OK to kill for certain reasons?

I guess it’s the same as those who would say that abortion a child for foetal abnormality is OK because of its disability or aborting a child because it was conceived in rape because of the manner of its conception.

Indeed we are a fickle and selective lot.

ANNE LASTMAN,
Victims of Abortion,
Vermont South, Vic.

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 28 No 7 (August 2015), p. 9