Suicide

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What is the Catholic church's position on suicide. When I was young I was taught that it was a sin. But, a colleague at work committed suicide and was given a mass of the Christian Burial. Has the church changed it's position?

-- Colleen Alexander (LCAlexander@compuserve.com), May 31, 1998

Answers

Hi Colleen,

I am sorry that you have experienced this and will pray for your colleague.

The following is what the Catechism and another document say. you should also pray for the repose of his or her soul. For the Church grants a Christian burial for those who take their own life hoping that they were in some way reconciled to God at death. With those that canon 1184 applise to being the exception.

Suicide from the Cathechism:

2280 Everyone is responsible for his life before God who has given it to him. It is God who remains the sovereign Master of life. We are obliged to accept life gratefully and preserve it for his honor ( 2258) and the salvation of our souls. We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of.

2281 Suicide contradicts the natural inclination of the human being to preserve and perpetuate his life. It is gravely contrary to the just love of self. It likewise offends love of neighbor because it unjustly breaks the ties of solidarity with family, nation, and other (2212) human societies to which we continue to have obligations. Suicide is contrary to love for the living God.

2282 If suicide is committed with the intention of setting an example, especially to the young, it also takes on the gravity of scandal. Voluntary co-operation in suicide is contrary to the moral (1735) law. Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide.

2283 We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives. (1037)

From Vatican II: Furthermore, whatever is opposed to life itself, such as any type of murder, genocide, abortion, euthanasia or willful self-destruction, whatever violates the integrity of the human person, such as mutilation, torments inflicted on body or mind, ...all these things and others of their like are infamies indeed. They poison human society, but they do more harm to those who practice them than those who suffer from the injury. Moreover, they are supreme dishonor to the Creator...

God alone is the judge and searcher of hearts, for that reason He forbids us to make judgments about the internal guilt of anyone. Vatican II GS (27)

May they rest in peace.

Rich Pohlman S.F.O.

-- Rich Pohlman S.F.O. (REPSFO@Prodigy.net), May 31, 1998.


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