II. Respect for the Dignity of Persons

2298
In
times past, cruel practices were commonly used by legitimate governments to
maintain law and order, often without protest from the Pastors of the Church,
who themselves adopted in their own tribunals the prescriptions of Roman law
concerning torture. Regrettable as these facts are, the Church always taught
the duty of clemency and mercy. She forbade clerics to shed blood. In recent
times it has become evident that these cruel practices were neither necessary
for public order, nor in conformity with the legitimate rights of the human
person. On the contrary, these practices led to ones even more degrading. It is
necessary to work for their abolition. We must pray for the victims and their
tormentors.

From The Catechism of the Catholic Church – rosary.team

Original Link: https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P80.HTM