The discussion of Catholic teaching on capital punishment — particularly relevant because of the recent execution of Saddam Hussein — has not always been precisely focused. And even an article by Cardinal Dulles does not necessarily help provided that needed focus. Catechism 2267 and the papal encyclical Evangelium Vitae are quite clear that capital punishment is never to be used when the safety of society against the aggressor can be achieved by any other means. Issues such as deterrence, retribution, and rehabilitation play no role in the decision to execute, as opposed to some other punishment. The article by Dulles does not end up making this as clear as it needs to be, and it is far better to read the Catechism or encyclical to understand this. A recent article by Stephen Bainbridge unfortunately views Catholic teaching solely through the lens of Dulles article, and consequently ends up not addressing the central issue head-on. The blog Mirror of Justice asks whether the article by Bainbridge is persuasive, or alternatively another posting at Evangelical Catholicism. Since the article by Bainbridge doesn't address the central issue, and the other article does, Bainbridge shouldn't be viewed as legitimately persuasive of anything.