The question of the permissibility of the death penalty within Catholic teaching has undergone significant evolution, particularly with the recent revisions to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Historically, the Church's teaching allowed for the death penalty under certain conditions. The Catechism of 1992 stated that recourse to the death penalty was permissible when it was the only practicable way to defend human lives against an aggressor, provided that the identity and responsibility of the offender were fully ascertained1. This perspective emphasized the need for legitimate authority to protect the common good and the lives of innocent people2.

However, in 2018, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a rescript that revised this teaching significantly. The new formulation asserts that the death penalty is now considered "inadmissible" because it constitutes an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person3. This change reflects a growing awareness that every individual retains their dignity, even after committing serious crimes, and acknowledges the development of more effective means of detention that can protect society while allowing for the possibility of redemption for the offender3.

The Church now advocates for the abolition of the death penalty worldwide, emphasizing that the dignity of the human person must be upheld in all circumstances3. This shift aligns with a broader understanding of justice and mercy, where the focus is on rehabilitation rather than retribution.

In summary, while the death penalty was once considered permissible under specific conditions, the current teaching of the Catholic Church categorically rejects it as incompatible with the respect due to human dignity. This represents a significant development in the Church's moral theology regarding capital punishment.