Drop plans to expand death penalty, bishops ask Philippines

Last updated on: December 14, 2016 at 1:04 pm by CNA Daily News

Drop plans to expand death penalty, bishops ask Philippines 2016-12-14T13:04:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Manila, Philippines, Dec 14, 2016 / 06:04 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Catholic prayer and protests greeted proposals to expand the use of the death penalty in the Philippines, with the move drawing outspoken opposition from the country's bishops.

“Christ died for the criminals and the victims. The love of God is for all. Our love should be like God's love. For all,” said Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan at a Dec. 12 prayer rally in San Carlos City.

“We are not protesting without a solution. We are protesting with an alternative. Reform the criminal justice system,” he added. “If there's a death penalty but the criminal justice system is corrupt, slow and one-sided, rapist and plunderer, and (drug) pusher and killer will remain confident.”

In 2006 the country abolished the death penalty for crimes involving drugs, rape and arson. Now, President Rodrigo Duterte and his supporters have sought to reinstate capital punishment for such crimes, citing rising crime rates and drug use.

Archbishop Villegas, however, said that the courts can make mistakes, and there is no way to correct a mistake after a prisoner is executed. He said the death penalty is “a lazy form of penalty” that does not help reform “those who made mistakes.”

Since July 1, when the new president took office, more than 2,000 people have died in police operations against illicit drugs, Reuters reports. Those killed are mainly street level drug dealers, accused by police of resisting arrest.

In the same time frame, another 3,000 people have been killed by masked men and vigilantes on motorcycles. President Duterte has denied claims of extrajudicial killings.

Senators have reported that they have no clear proof the killings are linked to state-sponsored actions. They have told the president to observe due process for the accused.

Cardinal Luis Tagle of Manila and the Manila archdiocese’s presbyteral council urged a prayer against the death penalty to be recited at all Sunday Masses in the archdiocese Sunday Dec. 8.

“Father, source and giver of life, we lift our hearts and voices to you. Help us to build a society that truly chooses life in all situations,” began the prayer, with the response “Lord, heal our pain.”

The prayer was on behalf of victims, perpetrators and society.

“There is in our land a cry for vengeance and a move to fill up death rows and kill offenders but disguised as a call for justice,” the prayer continued. “Let true and lasting justice spring forth.”

The prayer petitioned that Jesus, who suffered execution at the hands of the powerful, help Christians “reach out to victims of violence so that our enduring love may help heal their wounds.”

A separate proposal in the Philippines would lower the age of criminal liability to nine years old from 12. The bishops have warned this could escalate violence related to anti-drug campaigns.

Asia - Pacific

Previous Post

December 14, 2016

Pope: the world desperately needs hope – and we are the messengers

Next Post

December 14, 2016 Mission, synodality key themes in latest round of cardinal meetings

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who prophesied a virgin would bear a son called Immanuel?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Jeremiah Micah Isaiah Ezekiel