The Penal Code provides for a wide range of death-qualifiable...

The Penal Code provides for a wide range of death-qualifiable offenses: murder, treason, sorcery and other practices causing public disturbance. In 1998, the Catholic Church added its voice to the public outcry for criminals to be given the death sentence. The recommendation was seen as part of the Church's contribution to dealing with an upsurge of murders by armed robbers in Benin, 14 of whom were sentenced to death in October. In its interpretation of the New Catechism, the Benin Catholic Church said the death penalty was an effective way "to protect the lives of human beings from unjust aggressors." But the new version of the Catechism also states that "cases in which killing the culprit is an absolute necessity are very rare today; in fact, they hardly exist at all." According to the private daily Le Point Au Quotidien, the Catholic Church's latest position differs from that of certain sects of the Christian faith in Benin who are opposed to the death sentence, saying "God has never asked for the death of the sinner."