W Post / August 21, 2009 Mercy for Mass Murderer? Scotland's Justice Minister didn't cite _Micah 6:8_ (http://bible.cc/micah/6-8.htm) in his decision to release the terminally ill Lockerbie bomber and allow him to die at his home in Libya, but he seemed to be referring to that famous biblical passage that says the Lord requires us to "act justly and to love mercy." Mass murderers deserve justice, but mercy? "Our justice system demands that judgment be imposed but compassion be available. Our beliefs dictate that justice be served, but mercy be shown," _Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill wrote in his decision_ (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/This-Week/Speeches/Safer-and-stronger/lockerbiedecision) . "Compassion and mercy are about upholding the beliefs that we seek to live by, remaining true to our values as a people. No matter the severity of the provocation or the atrocity perpetrated." It's a courageous and controversial stand for any government official to take, but is it correct? Should Libyan agent Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, convicted of taking part in the bombing of _Pan Am Flight 103_ (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/20/AR2009082000818.html?sid=ST20090 82001078) on Dec. 21, 1988, which resulted in the death of 270 people, be shown mercy and compassion when he becomes terminally ill? _Rev. John Mosey_ (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/20/AR2009082000545.html?hpid=topnews) of Britain thinks so. His daughter Helga, 19, died in the attack. Wednesday he told reporters he would be glad to see al-Megrahi return home. Al-Megrahi, who has served eight years of a life sentence, has terminal cancer. "It is right he should go home to die in dignity with his family. I believe it is our Christian duty to show mercy," he said. _Kara Wepz _ (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/20/AR2009082000545.html?hpid=topnews) of Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, disagrees. Her 20-year-old brother Richard Monetti was on board Pan Am Flight 103. "I don't understand how the Scots can show compassion. It's an utter insult and utterly disgusting," she told reporters. "It's horrible. I don't show compassion for someone who showed no remorse." In his decision, MacAskill says he is following Scottish law which allows for compassionate release of prisoners, and Scottish values. "In Scotland, we are a people who pride ourselves on our humanity," he wrote. "It is viewed as a defining characteristic of Scotland and the Scottish people. The perpetration of an atrocity and outrage cannot and should not be a basis for losing sight of who we are, the values we seek to uphold, and the faith and beliefs by which we seek to live. "Mr. Al-Megrahi did not show his victims any comfort or compassion. They were not allowed to return to the bosom of their families to see out their lives, let alone their dying days. No compassion was shown by him to them. But, that alone is not a reason for us to deny compassion to him and his family in his final days." The prophet Micah instructed us to "love mercy." That doesn't mean we have to like it, but does it mean we should apply it in cases like this? Do mass murderers deserve mercy? By David Waters | August 20, 2009
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