Manila Roman Catholic Archdiocese Releases Prayer Against Capital Punishment
A prayer against the implementation of capital punishment was released by Manila Roman Catholic Archdiocese arguing it is against the Christian faith.
The implementation of the death penalty was earlier opposed by several human rights groups, religious groups, and by some lawmakers saying justice cannot be deferring through killing criminals.
The Philippines was the first Asian country who abolish the death penalty but former President Fidel V. Ramos reimposed it under his administration. Capital punishment was finally abolished again in 2006, under the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The Manila archdiocese encourages the priests nationwide to include the prayer against the capital punishment starting Thursday (December 08, 2016) and throughout the Christmas season. The prayer will be done during the mass after communion.
“Help us to work tirelessly to state-sanctioned death and to renew society in truth, justice, love, and respect so that violence will cease and peace may prevail,” the prayer reads quoted by ABS-CBN.
The imposition of capital punishment was still opposed by the Roman Catholic Church. The House committee on justice has already approved the death penalty with a vote of 12 in favor, 6 not in favor, and 1 undecided.
President Rodrigo Duterte wants to reimpose again the capital punishment due to increasing crime rate and in line with his anti-illegal drug campaign advocacy. Several lawmakers also support the president for his decision on the restoration of the death penalty.
Senator Manny Pacquiao also supports Duterte’s decision for it will make the Philippines a better country. The imposition of the death penalty could reduce the rate of crime in the country, according to several lawmakers.
The death penalty will be only used for drug-related cases; it will be executed in 3 modes; the suspect will be executed by firing squad, lethal injection, and hanging. President Duterte was just fulfilling his promise during the campaign period.
