Death penalty 'a grave crime,'

By Catholic News Service
Vatican City

Christians must work for the abolition of the death penalty and all forms of torture, said Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

"Christians are called to cooperate for the defence of human rights and for the abolition of the death penalty, torture, inhuman or degrading treatment" both in wartime and in times of peace, the cardinal said.

"These practices are grave crimes against the human person created in the image of God and a scandal for the human family in the 21st century," he said.

In an Oct. 30 press release, the cardinal's office said he made his statements during a meeting with Sylvie Bukhari-de Pontual, president of the International Federation of Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture.

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