Death penalty ‘unchristian’

 EXECUTING prisoners who are convicted of serious crimes is against Christian principles and values which form the fabric of our nation, a pastor says.

Pastor Jonathan Maike of the Exodus Lutheran Renewal Church in Daulo, Eastern Highlands, said that last Friday in response to moves by the Government to implement the death penalty. There are 12 prisoners currently on death row. The 13th escaped from prison last year.

Dr Lawrence Kalinoe, Secretary for the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, last week said the Government was “adamant on implementing the death penalty” this year.

“It would send out a strong warning to citizens of this country not to commit crimes that would likely attract the mandatory death sentences.” But Maike said killing prisoners was against the Word of God.

“Killing prisoners will not serve justice to anyone. It is murder and not right in the eyes of God,” he said. “In my view as a servant of God, he alone will make the final judgment.”