THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has sent a letter to the Senate citing three reasons why the death penalty bill should be rejected.
The letter, signed by CBCP president and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, says the death penalty is “not necessary,” it will “not be helpful,” and it “will not be a move towards greater justice.”
The letter says the revival of capital punishment is not a move toward justice because “the trend in dealing with crimes now should be towards restorative and not vindictive justice.”
The CBCP says Supreme Court records show that the judicial errors committed with regard to the death penalty is more than 70 percent.
“No study has shown that the imposition of the death penalty is an effective deterrent to the commission of crimes,” the letter says.
“It may also weaken any appeal for clemency we make for our countrymen and women who have been sentenced to death in other countries.
“For all these reasons among others, we ask you, dear senators, to reject the re-imposition of the death penalty.”
The CBCP has issued several pastoral letters stating its strong opposition to the bill seeking the revival of the death penalty and one expressing disappointment at Congress’ approval of it on March 7.
In one pastoral letter, Villegas expressed the bishops’ admiration for the members of the House who accepted to be ousted from their positions because they voted against the Duterte administration’s pet bill.
On several occasions, the lay community has also voiced out its resistance to the bill by joining candle-lighting ceremonies, “Walk for Life” events and noise barrages.