Our comprehensive theological understanding of stewardship is very much challenged when we exceed the moral parameters of our faith's teaching. The homicide rate per 1001000 population has remained constant at just under 10. Such proof is unlikely to be forthcoming. The federal government has converted each death sentence to life imprisonment. To be clear on the issue, the Episcopal Church as a national body, joined by the Roman Catholic church and many other religious faith traditions have all come out strongly in condemning capital punishment.
Nothing is served by revenge.
And here I note that the Episcopal Church, along with many other faith communities, is on record as being opposed to capital punishment. The decision rendered by the Attorney General of The United States, John Ashcroft, to allow the closed circuit telecast of McVeigh's execution to those survivors back in Oklahoma City who wish to view it and the very act of creating a lottery for the victims of the bombing so that they might draw lots to see who will actually be able to witness McVeigh's death by lethal injection are unconscionable and unhealthy, voyeuristic acts. The encounter with death in Terre Haute has become a media and commercial circus with the sale of tee shirts and other souvenirs planned by the gathering, commercial entrepreneurs of death. Individual satellite and web contractors have petitioned the Justice Department to televise the execution, claiming their constitutional right to do so and the need for the American people to experience the healing arid closure that will come with such a telecast. Something is very wrong with our Nation's behavior and conscience as we enter this new millennium when our attention, our energy, our collective rage, and our deep-seated need for revenge are all focused on the legally justifiable execution of Timothy McVeigh.