Amen!

A more than fair question: Where were the bishops when Troy Davis died?

The Catholic Church officially opposes capital punishment. This doctrine is in the same vein as those opposing abortion, birth control, and physician-assisted suicide: church doctrine dictates that life begins at conception and is a gift from God. Consequently, it is beyond the scope of any soul, no matter how high the earthly authority, to terminate a human life. It does not matter if it is legal, and it does not matter if the rationale is to relieve suffering: the taking of life is God's department, not ours. Yet in the middle of September, as opposition to the impending execution of Troy Davis reached a fever pitch and a singular opportunity presented itself for the Church to not just call for an act of mercy, but support a key element of doctrine, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops was silent as the grave.

Of course, they also made themselves somewhat scarce during times when illegal wars are launched and expanded health care rights are debated...also issues concern via the Church's doctrine. But OH MY GAWD SOMEBODY BOUGHT A CONDOM or IS ON THE PILL, those old guys who aren't supposed to have sex are totally on that one and screaming as loud as they can.