Capital Punishment and Roman Catholic Moral Tradition, Second Edition

Capital Punishment and Roman Catholic Moral Tradition, Second Edition, Volume 1, examines the evolution of the Catholic Church's stance on the death penalty. This work of theology and ethics traces the doctrinal shift from historical retribution-based models to the current position of the Church as a leading opponent of lethal punishment. E Christian Brugger analyzes the influence of Pope John Paul II, who redefined capital punishment strictly as a form of self-defense.

This volume of religious and philosophical study explores the implications of this historic turn within Catholicism. Brugger evaluates how these teachings align with previous traditions and discusses the contributions of Pope Benedict XVI. By blending politics, social sciences, and morality, the text provides a detailed academic analysis of the Roman Catholic moral tradition regarding the state's use of execution.