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Catholic Principles for Criminal
Sentences
Dan Lynch
We are still a long way from the time
when our conscience can be certain of having done everything possible to
prevent crime and to control it effectively so that it no longer does
harm and, at the same time, to offer to those who commit crimes a way of
redeeming themselves and making a positive return to society. If all
those in some way involved in the problem tried to . . . develop this
line of thought, perhaps humanity as a whole could take a great step
forward in creating a more serene and peaceful society.
Pope John Paul II, July 9, 2000
Social
Goals for Criminal Conduct
The
state should prevent crime as well as promote the rehabilitation of
criminals. The common good is undermined not only by criminal behavior
that threatens the lives and dignity of others, but also by policies
that seem to seek only vengeance on criminals.
Our
faith offers better alternatives that can both hold criminals
accountable and challenge them to change their lives. We can both reach
out to victims and reject vengeance on the criminal.
A
Catholic approach begins with the recognition that the dignity of the
human person applies to both the criminal’s victim and the criminal. The
current trend of more prisons, stiffer sentences and more executions,
with too little education and treatment, does not truly reflect
Christian values and will not really leave our communities safer.
Criminal punishment
The
state has the right to establish and enforce laws to protect people, to
advance the common good and to punish criminals. But we should seek
justice, not vengeance. Criminal punishment must be for the protection
of society and for the rehabilitation of those who violate the law.
Punishment must have a constructive and redemptive purpose and not be
for the sole purpose of inflicting suffering.
Punishment for its own sake is not a Christian response to crime.
Punishment must have a purpose. It must be coupled with treatment and,
when possible, restitution.
According to the Catechism of the
Catholic Church, punishment for criminal activity should
serve three principal purposes: (1) the preservation and protection of
the common good of society, (2) the restoration of public order and
restitution for the harm done to victims and (3) the restoration or
conversion of the offender.
The
U.S. Bishops said, “Our prisons must be transformed from
warehouses of human failure and seedbeds of violence to places of
responsibility, rehabilitation and restoration.”
Jesus Teaches
Jesus taught us to reject vengeance and to practice mercy. He said, “You
have heard the commandment, ‘An eye for an eye, a
tooth for a tooth.’ But what I say to you is: offer no resistance to
injury.” (Mt. 5:38).
Jesus also refused to inflict the death sentence of killing the
adulteress by stoning. He set her free with the admonition to go but to
avoid this sin. (Jn.. 8:11).
Jesus emphasized her reform and not her punishment.
Sources:
Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective
on Crime and
Criminal Justice,
U.S. Catholic Bishops, November 15, 2000.
United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops Website
A
Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death,
U.S.
Catholic Bishops, December, 2005.
Catechism of the Catholic Church,
Nos. 2266-2267.
OTHER ARTICLES BY DAN LYNCH
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