Three Roman Catholic Bishops in Jamaica say parliamentarians could be opting for a "culture of death" when they vote on Tuesday to decide whether the death penalty should remain on the books. They have cautioned to let good sense prevail.

In a joint statement released yesterday, the most Reverend Donald J. Reece, archbishop of Kingston, the most Reverend Charles Dufour, bishop of Montego Bay, and the Most Reverend Neil Tiedeman, bishop of Mandeville, said more rage than light has taken centre-stage in the discussions on the death penalty.

reasonable arguments

The bishops said reasonable arguments have been put forward to caution against capital punishment. They noted that in crime-ridden cities, capital punishment has not been a deterrent.

They also stated that DNA testing has shown that innocent persons have been executed or jailed for a major portion of their lives and the sanctioning of the death penalty by Government adds to the escalation of the culture of violence and death as opposed to a culture of life.

But the bishops say these enlightened arguments have been drowned in the rage and fear that prevail.

caution

"The three Catholic bishops in Jamaica wish to caution parliamentarians against opting for a culture of death. In the 'conscience vote' that will be taken either to uphold or abolish capital punishment, we exhort you to let light triumph over rage," read the statement.

The bishops added: "Let the understanding of the human person as dynamic (not static) contribute to the ongoing formation of your conscience. We appreciate the tension you feel in representing your constituents (the majority of whom might be in favour of the death penalty) as opposed to an enlightened leadership that ought to surmount the mentality of fear and revenge of the many."

The bishops said that while they sympathised with the victims of crime, snuffing out the lives of criminals was not the answer. They added that restitution and reconciliation would never be obtained by the taking of lives in revenge.

"This is where our parliamentarians need to think outside the box and look again at the whole penal system. that will include restorative justice, reconciliation and rehabilitation," said the bishops.

do the right thing

"As you, our parliamentarians, attend to the common good which is tantamount to the promotion of the culture of life in all its forms, we commend you to God for the wisdom, understanding and fortitude from on high, so that you will do the right thing as you vote according to your informed conscience on the death penalty."

Parliamentarians are to vote on Tuesday whether the nation should retain or abolish the death penalty. In Jamaica, the death penalty was last carried out in 1988.