Paul Suris states that official Church teachings have neither absolutely condemned nor promoted capital punishment, but toleration of it has fluctuated throughout the ages.
Paul J. Surlis menyatakan bahwa ajaran-ajaran resmi Gereja tidak secara mutlak mengutuk ataupun mendukung hukuman mati, toleransi terhadap pelaksanaannya mengalami fluktuasi sepanjang zaman.