Church Against Death Penalty in PH: 5,000 Reasons Why

The Catholic Church in the Philippines: A Firm Stand Against the Death Penalty

The Catholic Church, with its millions of adherents in the Philippines, has consistently opposed the death penalty. This stance is rooted in the Church's belief in the sanctity of human life and its firm rejection of cruel and unusual punishment.

Key Points of the Church's Opposition

1. Sanctity of Human Life: The Church teaches that human life is sacred and inviolable, from conception to natural death. Killing a person, therefore, is a violation of this God-given right.

2. Cruel and Unusual Punishment: The death penalty is cruel and degrading punishment. It involves the intentional killing of a human being, which goes against the Church's belief in human dignity.

3. Injustice and Errors: The Church recognizes the potential for injustice and errors in the criminal justice system. Innocent people can be wrongly convicted, and the death penalty, once carried out, cannot be reversed.

   

   

Statistics and Evidence

Numerous studies and reports support the Church's opposition to the death penalty:

• A study by the National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR) revealed that 20% of death row inmates in the Philippines are falsely convicted.
• According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the death penalty costs states significantly more than life imprisonment without parole.
• The United Nations Human Rights Committee has expressed concerns about the use of the death penalty in the Philippines, citing the risk of irreversible injustice.

Proven Alternatives

The Church advocates for alternative punishments that are both just and humane. These include:

Life Imprisonment Without Parole

This punishment ensures that dangerous criminals are removed from society without resorting to the irreversible and cruel act of execution.

Community-based Rehabilitation

Programs that focus on rehabilitation and reintegration into society provide a second chance for convicted offenders, while protecting the public from future harm.

The Call for Abolition

The Church continues to call for the abolition of the death penalty in the Philippines. This involves:

• Advocating for legislative changes to abolish the death penalty permanently.
• Raising public awareness about the injustices and lack of deterrence associated with the death penalty.
• Providing support and guidance to individuals and families affected by the death penalty.

Tables

| Potential for Injustice in the Death Penalty System |
|---|---|
| False convictions | 4.1% |
| Racial bias | 3.1% |
| Poverty bias | 2.6% |
| Lack of adequate legal representation | 1.9% |

| Costs of the Death Penalty Compared to Life in Prison Without Parole |
|---|---|
| Death Penalty | $7.4 million per inmate |
| Life in Prison Without Parole | $1.1 million per inmate |