The Russian Orthodox Church favors continued public...

The Russian Orthodox Church favors continued public discussion on the abolishment of the death penalty in Russia.
On the one hand, "the Church welcomes steps taken by the state authorities to limit or abolish the death penalty rather than apply it in practice, because the death penalty very often deprives a wayward person of the chance to repent and makes a judicial mistake irreparable," Father Chaplin said.
On the other hand, the archpriest went on to say, "society should decide upon the abolishment of the death penalty freely, proceeding from the state of this society and law enforcement and judicial systems," and "the interests of true-hearted members of society and the lives and security of people that can fall victims to crime must not be ignored," Father Chaplin noted.