In so doing, we are imitating St. Therese of the Child Jesus, who prayed so fervently for the conversion of a hardened criminal, who had refused all offers to return to God. At the last moment, just before his execution, he reached for an outstretched crucifix, a gesture of his sorrow and repentance. There was a time when the death penalty could possibly have been justified in this country, but that time has surely passed. We posses the means and the technology to remove these people permanently from society without recourse to the death penalty. We must work for the rehabilitation of those who for various reasons have gone astray and committed terrible crimes.
Justice dictates that punishment be inflicted to redress the disorder caused by the offense.
Often criminals have become so because of crimes committed against them. Copyright 2001 Arlington Catholic Herald. All rights reserved.