OK, folks...calm down.
John Paul II expressed a great deal of compassion for this dupe of the KGB. Perhaps it's appropriate for us to do the same.
Hating this guy is not exactly consistent with what we purport to believe as Catholics.
I'm calm. I don't know what gave the impression I wasn't.
John Paul II expressed a great deal of compassion for this dupe of the KGB. Perhaps it's appropriate for us to do the same.
I have a great deal of compassion for a lot of prisoners. I hope they find meaning in their lives, a worthwhile purpose, rehabilitation, redemption, and the love of their families. It's just that in some cases, that's all best done behind bars.
The Pope took the position of turning the other cheek, which is consistent with the religious convictions and moral leadership he exemplified throughout his life. That is the correct moral and theological position, and I do not for one instant question his reasoning or his sincerity.
But the criminal justice system is concerned with the safety of the public, including the damage that would be done by the assassination of one of its leaders, not with the fate of Mehmet Ali Agca's soul. You may feel free to forgive a man who wronged you, but that doesn't give you the right to free someone who is likely to harm me later.
Hating this guy is not exactly consistent with what we purport to believe as Catholics.
Hate doesn't enter into it. I don't want to see criminals in prison because it will make me feel better, give me a rush of vengeance; I want to see criminals in prison because, as a perfectly pragmatic consideration, it will make me and my loved ones safer.