Is it appropriate to talk about the death penalty at Christmastime?

There's enough bad news bombarding us every single day, so why is it appropriate to talk about the death penalty during Christmastime?  To do so is just more bad news; who needs it, right?

Take the reason for Christmas in the first place: the birth of the Savior; the Babe that we see in Nativity scenes all across the country, that is, for now.  But it has to be said, that if the atheists and other secular humanists have their way, such visual celebrations will be a thing of the past -- over my dead body! 

It just so happens the death penalty is in the news these days, especially coming out of the Vatican; that's in Rome, for those who don't know.  The Vatican is also the mouthpiece, if you will, for Pope Francis; his speeches, writings and off-the-cuff remarks that seem to get him into trouble more often than not, with the Vatican trying to explain or clarify just what Francis meant...  And when the "Vatican" speaks; the world usually listens, but should it?

First, let's see what happened when that Babe grew up, began His ministry, then finally fulfilled His destiny: to die on the Cross for ------------------------- US!  Please think about that at least for a moment or two...

How, a non-believer might ask, would, or could, the "so-called" Son of God allow Himself to be subject to the death penalty??   And DIE!

Second, remember what Christ said to Pilate when standing right in front of him: you would not have any power over Me (to put me to death -- to enforce the death penalty) if it wasn't given to you from my Father!  The translation here, of course, is that there was a death penalty in Judea during the time of our Lord, just as there is a death penalty today.

But the arguments coming out of the "Vatican," is saying something different, or, should I say, the pope is saying something different... The Church has always taught -- always taught! -- that a death penalty can be used in certain cases and carried out by the civil authorities not only in order to protect the commonweal of society, but also to prevent the criminal from committing more heinous crimes if his life is not forfeited.  There is, however, another reason for the enforcement of the ultimate penalty: the potential for the criminal to convert and amend his life before he meets his Maker.  Think about it: if someone has no fear of being put to death (in the many states that no longer have a death penalty) there is no real reason to transform his/her life; to convert and change their ways.  What they do get is three-square meals a day for the rest of their miserable lives...

Third, what is often left out of the equation of the death penalty debate, are the murdered victims or their families that have been deprived of their loved ones.  There seems to be little empathy for those victims, but lots of sympathy for the criminal.  Go figure that one out, I can't...

Pope Francis is now excoriating the previous teachings of his predecessors as well as the perennial teachings of the Catholic Church on such important matters such as the death penalty, basically saying that it is cruel and inhumane.  Yes, it is "cruel" and "inhumane" -- but necessary!  It is completely naïve -- or is it planned? -- to attempt to condemn those who implement the death penalty in modern times, forgetting -- or not caring -- for those who die at the hands of the criminal.

This pope is hell-bent on changing, always and everywhere, taught and believed teachings and beliefs since the founding of the Church on the Rock of Peter.  He will not succeed!

To those who think that we Catholics are bound in conscience to believe every single thing the pope says or opines or writes, are gravely mistaken.  In fact, we have an obligation not to obey that which counters the faith: False obedience is a vice, not a virtue!  

At this Christmastime, I ask all of good will to pray not only for our country, but also for the man that currently occupies the Chair of Peter...

Gene DeLalla