The Massachusetts bishops have stated their opposition to the death penalty for the Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. They base their statement on several reasons, including the fact that he is now no longer a threat since he is in prison, as well as because of the dignity of human life.
I want to add my voice to their statement. The death penalty would end it all for this man, whereas life in prison gives him time to reflect, repent and learn about and experience the mercy of God.
I am reminded of a song I wrote on the dignity of human life: “My Brother’s Keeper”.
The first verse goes:
I’m standing in a prison,
Looking at the Death Row,
Where someone’s gonna die at noon today.
A guard says, “Are you kin
To any of his victims,
And come to watch us take his life away?”
I said, “Am I my brother’s keeper?
No; I’m just my brother’s weeper,
And taking any life has brought me down.”
Yes, let us give this man time to repent of the evil he has done.
Sister Kay Kay, SSS
Waterville
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