Catholic Church in Holy Land Rejects Death Penalty, Calls for Mercy and Human Dignity

The Catholic Church in the Holy Land has expressed its opposition to the death penalty, emphasizing the sanctity of life and the inherent dignity of every human being. This stance comes amid growing controversy following the Israeli Knesset’s recent approval of a law that permits the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners. The measure has sparked legal and political debate, as well as ethical and moral reflection among believers about the nature of justice and mercy in times of conflict.

Father Bernard Poggi, rector of the Latin Patriarchal Seminary in Beit Jala, near Bethlehem, spoke about the Church’s position in an exclusive interview with ACI MENA. He emphasized that human life is a divine gift that must never be violated, and that any attempt to impose the death penalty contradicts the core values of the Gospel and Christian ethics. The Church, he said, teaches that every person is created in the image of God and thus possesses a sacred dignity that belongs to God alone.

Father Poggi pointed to the Book of Genesis as foundational to the Church’s teaching on the sanctity of life. He explained that the divine image in each person grants them sacredness and intrinsic worth, making the commandment “You shall not kill” a cornerstone of Christian morality. He also referenced the story of Cain and Abel, in which God punishes Cain for killing his brother, highlighting that human life is not for one person to take from another.

The Church’s position is further grounded in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, specifically paragraph 2267, which rejects the death penalty as an attack on human dignity. Father Poggi noted that the Church is committed to working for the abolition of the death penalty worldwide and to raising awareness of the sanctity of life. He also highlighted the witness of Helen Prejean, an American religious sister known for her work with death row inmates, as an example of compassion and advocacy for the marginalized.

The Church’s call for mercy and human dignity aligns with its broader mission to promote peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land. By advocating for alternatives to the death penalty, the Church seeks to foster a culture of life and justice that reflects the teachings of Jesus Christ. This stance underscores the importance of protecting the vulnerable and upholding the moral imperative to care for all people, regardless of their circumstances.

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