God's Holy Word tells us: "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience." Romans 13: 1-5.
Does Pope Francis really mean to contradict God's Holy Word?
The thought of St. Augustine, Father and Doctor of the Church:
"The same divine authority that forbids the killing of a human being establishes certain exceptions, as when God authorizes killing by a general law or when He gives an explicit commission to an individual for a limited time.
The agent who executes the killing does not commit homicide; he is an instrument as is the sword with which he cuts. Therefore, it is in no way contrary to the commandment, 'Thou shalt not kill' to wage war at God's bidding, or for the representatives of public authority to put criminals to death, according to the law, that is, the will of the most just reason.
(The City of God, Book 1, chapter 21)
The thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church:
"It is written: 'Wizards thou shalt not suffer to live' (Ex. 22:18); and: 'In the morning I put to death all the wicked of the land' (Ps. 100:8). …
Every part is directed to the whole, as imperfect to perfect, wherefore every part exists naturally for the sake of the whole. For this reason we see that if the health of the whole human body demands the excision of a member, because it became putrid or infectious to the other members, it would be both praiseworthy and healthful to have it cut away. Now every individual person is related to the entire society as a part to the whole. Therefore if a man be dangerous and infectious to the community, on account of some sin, it is praiseworthy and healthful that he be killed in order to safeguard the common good, since 'a little leaven corrupteth the whole lump' (1 Cor. 5:6).
(Summa Theologiae, II, II, q. 64, art. 2)
The fact that the evil ones, as long as they live, can be corrected from their errors does not prohibit that they may be justly executed, for the danger which threatens from their way of life is greater and more certain than the good which may be expected from their improvement.
They also have at that critical point of death the opportunity to be converted to God through repentance. And if they are so obstinate that even at the point of death their heart does not draw back from malice, it is possible to make a quite probable judgment that they would never come away from evil.”
(Summa contra gentiles, Book III, chapter 146
Pope Francis has been held up as a model of humility by liberals and so-called "progressives" in the Church. Perhaps then he should respect Sacred Scripture and Tradition (the Depositum Fidei) on this subject?
Pope Francis asserts that the death penalty is ALWAYS inadmissible. He has, therefore, set himself against the Magisterial teaching of the Church as expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
"Assuming that the guilty party's identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor..." (CCC, 2267).
Does Pope Francis believe it to be his role to correct God's Word? He is supposed to safeguard the Deposit of Faith, not undermine it. This creates much anxiety when I think about this October's Synod. What frightful things are on the horizon?
ReplyDeleteRome is in crisis.
The Great Apostasy prophesied by Saint Paul is expanding. Many priests have lost the faith. Much of the Church's hierarchy has fallen to the Demon. The False Prophet is preparing mankind for the Son of Perdition who is soon to make his appearance upon the world stage.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.all.org/article/index/id/MTQ3MDM
Well it's not without a reason that Jesus says : " When I come back will I still find any faith on the earth". As it is now there barely is unless in themselves.
ReplyDeletePlease Lord come rather sooner than later!!!
Riki