The Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines warned the faithful against the use of the Bible to justify the proposal to revive the death penalty in the country.
The group expressed dismay over statements made by some politicians who said capital punishment is acceptable because even Jesus was sentenced to die on the cross.
The religious leaders dismissed what they described as the “hazardous interpretation” of the Bible.
In a statement on August 15, the religious superiors reminded legislators that Christ “was brought before Pilate on false charges, prosecuted by a mock trial, and convicted by popular acclamation.”
“It was a travesty of justice that compelled Pontius Pilate to wash his hands of the evil deed,” read the statement. “Sadly, many Christians loudly proclaim that death is acceptable and just,” it added.
The religious superiors said they wanted to remind legislators that “Jesus willingly died on the cross so that no one else – including you in government – will suffer the same fate.”
The group urged members of the Philippine Congress to review the teachings of the Church on the death penalty.
The religious group said it reiterates its “resolute opposition” to the reimposition of capital punishment in the country.
“Our life-giving and healing faith demands of us to value each and every single human being, each and every single creation, as a gift from our loving and compassionate God,” read their statement.
The group lambasted claims that the death penalty would help decongest the country’s crowded detention facilities.
“Have we run out of imagination that we have to resort to the death penalty as a convenient means to decongest our detention facilities?” the religious group asked.
“Should we not improve our justice system instead of appropriating more funds for it?” it added.
In his fifth State of the Nation Address on July 27, President Rodrigo Duterte told Congress to reinstate the death penalty via lethal injection for drug-related crimes.
On August 5, the Committee on Justice at the House of Representatives started debates on at least 12 death penalty bills.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church maintains that the death penalty is unacceptable.
