NowHampshire.com is reporting that not everybody is happy about this week’s death penalty verdict for cop-killer Michael "Stix" Addison.
Briggs family members and law enforcement officials cheered when Michael Addison was sentenced to death on Thursday. But many in New Hampshire’s Roman Catholic community see things differently.
Catholics at all levels are chiming in on the Michael Addison death penalty verdict. Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Manchester John McCormack has come out with a strong stance against the death penalty sentence. Bishop McCormack stated “Michael Addison has been convicted of a heinous crime, the murder of a heroic Manchester police officer in the line of duty. As a Church, we mourn with Officer Michael Briggs’ family and the Manchester Police Department for a life cut too short. Having been convicted, Mr. Addison should be punished by serving the rest of his life in prison, but our society should not take Michael Addison’s life because of his crime. We believe that human life – every human life – is sacred, and is a gift from God.”
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NowHampshire.com spoke with a Barrington resident who commented, “I believe that justice has been served and confidence and safety restored to New Hampshire citizens through the murder conviction of Addison. However, God should be allowed to appoint the day and time of [Addison’s] death in prison, not a court decision.”
Hmmm. As a practicing, believing Catholic, I must say that this is a sentiment hard to disagree with. As a libertarian-leaning citizen, I am becoming more and more skeptical of handing the state the power of life and death. What do you think?
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