As if the abortion issue wasn't enough, coming up in this month's political debates - Capital Punishment

KELOTV.com has an interesting article on the request of Elijah Page to forgo any further appeals and to proceed forward with the death penalty. Why is it interesting? Well, for the fact that South Dakota hasn't put anyone to death in decades, we've really managed to avoid the question. Until now.

And the Catholic Church doesn't sound like it's going to take a seat during this debate:

A spokesperson for the Catholic bishops says death penalty cases are always cause for concern because they go against what the church teaches about respecting life. So before Elijah Page is put to death, expect to hear more about why religious leaders think he should be spared.

Elijah Page could become the first person put to death in South Dakota since 1947, which is something the Catholic church is anxious to prevent.

Sr. Mary Ann Walsh, spokesperson for the U.S. Bishops says, "It's like a step backwards in time."

Church leaders say a justice system that allows for the taking of a human life doesn't send the message that killing itself is wrong.

Walsh says, "The church is very strong that you don't need the death penalty to protect society. Today in our criminal justice system we're able to protect society through our prison system."

She says the fact that Page is asking to die makes the church question his mental state.

Walsh says, "The desire to live is a basic desire. If someone says I want to give it all up that suggests they aren't operating in the right frame of mine."

And she says this kind of protest isn't about crossing a line between church and state.

She says, "This is more than a political matter. This is a matter of the direction of society. The church is a major force in society and it has a role in helping society reach its moral goals."

Read it all here.