Pell recognises challenge of death penalty abolition

The Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, says the church opposes capital punishment, but recognises the political challenge of abolishing it in the region.

On Friday, 25-year-old Australian drug smuggler Van Nguyen was executed in Singapore.

This morning Prime Minister John Howard told the ABC he was pessimistic about Australia's ability to convince its neighbours to end the death penalty.

Cardinal Pell says sensitivity is needed in pursuing such an aim.

"The difficulty is to be active in a way that might help our cause," Cardinal Pell said.

"You could very easily try to be active in this area and be counter-productive.

"I welcome any sorts of activities that's likely to convince our neighbours not to use the death penalty."

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Sun, 4 December 2005
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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Copyright: 2005 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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