Poena Capitalis

Amici, Americani, Compatriotae,

Regarding the recent change in the Church’s position on Capital Punishment, please see the actual revision of CCC 2267 and the statement from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith below.

Letter to the Bishops regarding the new revision of number 2267 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the death penalty, from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 02.08.2018

New revision of number 2267 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the death penalty – Rescriptum “ex Audentia SS.mi”, 02.08.2018

Personally I don't see how any statement on Capital Punishment can fail to address Genesis 9:6 and Romans 13:1-7.

Quicumque effuderit humanum sanguinem,
per hominem fundetur sanguis illius;
ad imaginem quippe Dei
factus est homo.

And who sheds the blood of men
through man shall his blood be poured;
to the image obviously of God
is made man.

Omnis anima potestatibus sublimioribus subdita sit. Non est enim potestas nisi a Deo; quae autem sunt, a Deo ordinatae sunt.
Itaque, qui resistit potestati, Dei ordinationi resistit; qui autem resistunt ipsi, sibi damnationem acquirent.
Nam principes non sunt timori bono operi sed malo. Vis autem non timere potestatem? Bonum fac, et habebis laudem ex illa;
Dei enim ministra est tibi in bonum. Si autem malum feceris, time; non enim sine causa gladium portat; Dei enim ministra est, vindex in iram ei, qui malum agit.
Ideo necesse est subditos esse, non solum propter iram sed et propter conscientiam.
Ideo enim et tributa praestatis; ministri enim Dei sunt in hoc ipsum instantes.
Reddite omnibus debita: cui tributum tributum, cui vectigal vectigal, cui timorem timorem, cui honorem honorem.

Let every soul be subordinate to the higher powers. For power is not except from God; which however are, from God they are ordained.
And thus, who resists power, resists the ordinance of God; who however resist Him, to themselves the y acquire damnation.
For princes are not for fear to good work but evil. However do you not wish to fear power? Do good, and you will have praise out of that;
For he is the minister of God to you in good. If however you will do evil, fear, for not without cause he carries the sword;
For he is the minister of God, the defender in wrath for him, who conducts evil.
Therefore it is necessary to be subordinate, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience.
For therefore also you supply tribute; for they are the ministers of God pursuing into this itself.
Return debts to all: to whom tribute tribute, to whom tax tax, to whom fear fear, to whom honor honor.