An inter-Mennonite newspaper, putting the Mennonite world together every week since 1923

EDITORIAL

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During the season of Lent, we replay the drama of the final weeks of Jesus’ life leading up to his public execution by Roman soldiers.

It should concern Christians when any prisoners are condemned to die, whether for religious beliefs or for horrendous crimes.

Each of the 3,500 people currently on death row in the United States is a human being whom a court has decided is beyond redemption. We must ask ourselves whether earthly judges and juries have sufficient wisdom or discernment to mete out a punishment of death. Or in making such judgments are today’s authorities just as swayed by their power as the authorities that killed Jesus?

The United States is one of a minority of countries in the world that executes prisoners. Amnesty International USA, a human rights organization, notes that 91 percent of all executions in 2006 took place in China, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan and the United States.

Last month the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case Baze v. Rees, considering whether the form of lethal injection used in 36 states is constitutionally prohibited as cruel and unusual punishment. Attorneys for the two death-row inmates argue that the drug mix used can fail to keep the person unconscious before stopping the beating of his or her heart. Most executions in the United States by this method have been postponed until the case is decided.

The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled on Feb. 8 that execution by electrocution violates the state’s constitution because it causes intense pain. This ruling on state law cannot be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

While the court cases do not challenge the death penalty itself, the debates over an acceptable amount of pain for government authorities to inflict on condemned people provide an opportunity for people who oppose execution by any method to raise their voices for the abolition of the death penalty.

Studying the issues around the death penalty and showing concern for prisoners on death row is one way we can live out the lesson of Matthew 25 that those who visit prisoners, among other acts of compassion, are worthy of the kingdom of God.

We should also be concerned about the prison complex, where inmates are often treated unjustly and the system is not conducive to the redemption of the individual.

We can show our concern for prisoners serving any sentence by writing letters to incarcerated people, sending books to prison libraries, visiting prisoners and providing aid to their families. We can tell prisoners about God’s unconditional love.

On Ash Wednesday, many churches used ashes to mark the sign of a cross onto the foreheads of believers, a reminder of that everyone — not just those punished for wrongdoing — is sinful and has fallen short of God’s grace. We can remember that lesson this Lent and seek ways to show the compassion of the executed Jesus to those who face the same fate. — Celeste Kennel-Shank