Beyond the Death Penalty: The Development in Catholic Social Teaching

In recent years, and especially through the leadership of the late Pope John Paul II, Catholic Social Doctrine has become strongly opposed to capital punishment in practically all cases. The Catholic Church's opposition to the death penalty is based on its support for a consistent ethic of life for all of humanity. This consistent ethic also includes defending the unborn, the handicapped, victims of human rights abuses, and countless others whose human dignity is violated. This book, a collection of papers gathered as part of a project by the Florida Council of Catholic Scholarship, describes and defends the official Catholic theological opposition to the use of the death penalty in practically all cases. The book was produced by the Pax Romana Center for International Study of Catholic Social Teaching. Both bodies are hosted by and located at Saint Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Florida.

JOE HOLLAND is Professor of Philosophy and Religion and also Assistant Dean for the Liberal Arts at Saint Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Florida. In addition, he serves as State Coordinator of the Florida Council of Catholic Scholarship, as Executive Director of the Pax Romana Center for International Study of Catholic Social Teaching, and as President of Pax Romana/Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs USA. D. MICHAEL MCCARRON is Executive Director of the Florida Catholic Conference, which serves as the voice for civil society of the Catholic bishops in Florida. It is based in Tallahassee, the State capital. Dr. McCarron was a key and visionary figure in initiating the Florida Council of Catholic Scholarship, and he has been a leader across Florida and throughout the country in advocating for the Catholic commitment to the consistent ethic of life.