Well, whaddya know? None other than arch-conservative Rick Santorum is having second thoughts about the death penalty!
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports:
He has not become an abolitionist, and he believes church teaching against the death penalty carries less weight than its longer-standing opposition to abortion. But he questions what he once unquestioningly supported.This comes as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops begins a major campaign to ban capital punishment.
"I felt very troubled about cases where someone may have been convicted wrongly. DNA evidence definitely should be used when possible," he said.
"I agree with the pope that in the civilized world ... the application of the death penalty should be limited. I would definitely agree with that. I would certainly suggest there probably should be some further limits on what we use it for."
It is worth noting that Santorum cites concerns about executing the innocent as the sole reason for his doubts about capital punishment. This is a practical position rather than a philosophical one. It should be understood also that Santorum is mischaracterizing the pope's views on the death penalty.
John Paul II does not believe that capital punishment should applied more judiciously than it is. He believes it should not be applied at all. The Roman Catholic Church is fundamentally opposed to the death penalty, just as it is to abortion and euthanasia. The Catholic position on the sanctity of life is comprehensive and unequivocal. The same, frankly, cannot be said of the religious right.
Christian Conservatives demonstrate a breathtaking lack of discrimination when it comes to their political loyalties. It is shocking to see the willingness with which they will align themselves with the most venal, opportunistic politicians who happen to make the right noises about abortion and homosexuality. Shocking as well is the fervor with which they embrace a political agenda that stands in stark contrast to the teachings of the Christ they claim as their savior.
Nevertheless, as a Christian who believes that God moves in the hearts and minds of men, I am intrigued by Santorum's nascent change of heart. I am, frankly, also a bit embarrassed by the sarcastic tone of my previous post on the influence that the bishops' campaign might have on Culture of Life Conservatives. Perhaps I am too cynical.
I have never thought of "Culture of Life" as anything more than a cheap political slogan of a piece with "Compassionate Conservatism," "Clean Skies Initiative" and "Personal Retirement Accounts." I am not prepared to say that I have been overall too untrusting of the motives and methods of the religious right, but if Rick Santorum's heart can grow softer, maybe mine should, too.
Perhaps as a Catholic, Senator Santorum is more receptive to the bishops' anti-death penalty message than would be, say, Tom DeLay.
Santorum's ability for reflection is encouraging. It remains to be seen if his enlightenment stops with these practical questions about the death penalty, or if it expands to include Christian social justice issues such as a living wage for the working poor; comprehensive health care for every American; torture; government corruption; and the waging of a moral, just and effective war on terrorism.
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