[murphE]

Logically, if this is a question determined by free will, does not execution deprive the true criminal of any chance of exercise of free will by repenting and being saved? What about the prisoner convicted in error - is it not better to "err on the side of life" for these cases?

Actually this is the way the reasoning works: The supreme law of the Church is the salvation of souls, not preserving all life (even the guilty) at all cost, not ending all suffering. The sentence of death to a convicted unrepentant criminal forces that person to contemplate the Four Last Things, death, judgment, heaven, hell. Being forced to contemplate these thing may bring about repentance and at least imperfect contrition. Then, in accepting their fate, they can offer up any suffering in union with Our Lord's as reparation for the damage they have caused by their sin.

In the mind of the church there is a worse fate than being put to death, and that is going to going to hell. That a sentence of death can bring about repentance and penance is a good and just thing. It is purely humanistic thinking, that places this life as the supreme good, and this is the thinking behind those opposed to the death penalty in all cases. That is not Catholic.

[obnogs]

Thanks for the lesson in Catholic dogma - it is very interesting. However, my question was not addressed specifically to the teachings of the Catholic church. Rather, I have seen discussions here (for example, Terri S and abortion threads) where some participants appear to value life as the supreme good. I am simply wondering how those posters reconcile that view with support for the death penalty.

As for me, I oppose the death penalty for other reasons. I think there is significant evidence it does not deter others from committing criminal acts. Capital punishment is thus justified only as an act of vengeance, which I submit is not a particularly Christian value and not a proper motive for good governance. The risk of executing the innocent outweighs any benefit achieved, given the lack of deterrent effect.