CBCP renews call for death sentence abolition

Catholic bishops have again called for the abolition of the death penalty.

Monsignor Hernando Coronel, secretary general and spokesman for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said the Catholic Church has been coordinating with various religious and human rights groups worldwide to oppose capital punishment and promote life.

"Hopefully, we would be able to convince the whole world on this, with the recent international proclamation of World Day Against Death Penalty," he said.

Speaking over the Catholic-run Radio Veritas, Coronel said 86 countries have already banned the death penalty and have not imposed it on those convicted of heinous crimes like rape and murder.

"Some 86 countries continue to sanction and use capital punishment, even though 76 other countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes," he said.

"Some 14 countries have abolished this for most crimes. We are against the death penalty. Jail the death penalty forever! Abolish the death penalty!"

Meanwhile, Coronel said he and other religious leaders have agreed that dialogue is the only way to achieve peace in Mindanao.

Coronel said the "Mindanao Week of Peace" will be celebrated starting the last Thursday of November and up to the first Wednesday of December.

Coronel compared a deck of 52 cards to 52 weeks in a year.

"In the four kings in a deck of cards, Jesus Christ can be likened to the king of hearts, the heart being a symbol of peace and love," he said.

Coronel said Jesus is the bridge of understanding, who lived on earth to help the people and that they are happy for Him and with Him, without any envy or jealousy.

"Diamonds stand for wealth, for money, for materialism," he said. "Jesus was born in a manger, and lived a simple life with the poor. Spades is used to throw dirt at people, but Christ spreads the good news. A king of spades spreads gossip, uncharitable comments."

Coronel said the faithful would be judged during the "last Sunday" of his life and how much he has "invested" on works of faith, hope and love.

"And that we must know the king we are serving," he said.

Jesus is not a violent man but a man of peace, Coronel added. – Sandy Araneta