Death Penalty
So I believe that the state has the right to use the death penalty if done so justly. But besides the fact that the death penalty is just, as it creates satisfaction for heinous crimes, I heard that is also causes more convicts to make an imperfect act of contrition. Does anyone have some data to show that this is the case? I think that will show why that the death penalty can have spiritual benefits.
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I think the death penalty was more salutary for deathbed conversions in ages past. It is still just and necessary, but I doubt there are conversions on death row like there were in the time of St. Joseph Cafasso. I think this is due mostly to the current state of the Church. Most Catholics today seem unconvinced or unaware of the necessity of the sacraments and dying in a state of sanctifying grace. Like Friar Anthony says, "Most people think God is a teddy bear."
Also, any "spiritual help" given in prisons today is mostly protestant which doesn't help anyone who is about to die. At least that's how it is in Nebraska.