What does the Church say about the death penalty?
The Catholic Church clearly teaches that the death penalty has no place in any society. Capital punishment is a direct attack to the sanctity of life, and our efforts to oppose this dehumanizing system fall squarely within the continuum of life issues.
In 2018, the Catechism of the Catholic Church was clarified to reflect this teaching:
“The Church teaches, in light of the Gospel, that the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person, and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church #2267
This revision was far from unprecedented. It was rooted in a legacy of papal teaching against capital punishment, and reinforced by the Catholic belief that all life is sacred.
1999
Pope Saint John Paul II
“I renew the appeal…for a consensus to end the death penalty, which is both cruel and unnecessary.”
Papal Mass, St. Louis, Missouri
2011
Pope Benedict XVI
“I draw the attention of society’s leaders to the need to make every effort to eliminate the death penalty.”
Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Africae Munus
2015
Pope Francis
“[The death penalty] does not render justice to the victims, but rather fosters vengeance.”
Address to U.S. Congress, Washington, DC
2018
Catechism of the Catholic Church
“The Church teaches, in light of the Gospel, that the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person, and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide.”
CCC #2267
Our work to end the death penalty and advance the healing practices of restorative justice is deeply rooted in Catholic Social Teaching. Read more about Catholic Social Teaching and the Death Penalty here.