I was hesitant to post this, because I really (really!) do not want anyone to misunderstand. So please do not jump to conclusions and misconstrue what I am saying here. Here goes...
Our God may change how He wants us to apply the laws He gives us, but the principle of those laws is always the same. Everywhere in the Scriptures, and in every official teaching of the Church (before a few decades ago) we find it clearly stated that God tells us that capital punishment, when used rightly, is a godly action. It protects society from impenitent people. It prevents those who want to throw people into Hell from doing so. It stops evil people from committing more sins that will bring about their greater condemnation.
In the choice of the readings given to us in the Lectionary for Mass this last Wednesday, there was a decision made that hides this fact. The first reading from the book of Kings tells us the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. It shows how God did a miracle and showed that (as the text says) "the Lord, He is God", such that no one could doubt it. It is a very long reading; nineteen verses in all, and takes over two pages in the big Lectionary that I read from at St. George. Yet, they shortened the reading; by one verse (yes, that is "one", as in "o", "n", "e"; right, "1").
What was that one verse that someone (or possibly a group of "someones") chose to remove? Let me give it to you here:
And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape.” And they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and killed them there.
I do not know the mind of those who chose to keep this from being read, but it is really hard to believe that it was not intentionally to hide the clear testimony of capital punishment. It was not skipped because it was too long with it in there; it takes about six seconds to read it. It was not because people are uncomfortable with death; numerous other verses referencing death are included in other readings. The only thing we are left with is that it was "too directly" saying that impenitent God-haters are to be executed by proper godly authorities.
Jesus said the truth would make us free, not that it would make us comfortable. This is the Holy Word of God. This is what God gave to us. This is the truth (regardless of who denies it).