The history of Europe is so abundant in such cases ... the most famous are the instruments of forgiveness

Hato II, the Archbishop of Mainz, Germany, found a radical and innovative solution to the great famine of 914 CE,
Bringing a large number of the poor to a huge hary under the pretext of providing them with food. And when their crowds were gathered in the place, they set fire to them.
His argument was that if the poor were sent to heaven, famine would be eliminated more quickly.
The second Hato was severely punished for his act, as it is said that groups of rats have been killed
  Anonymus Maskactin