Pastor's Corner, September 14, 2014

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

It has been about a month since the death of comedian Robin Williams by suicide. Social commentators tell us that a suicide is committed every 13 seconds in the United States and there are more deaths by suicide than car accidents. What does the Church teach with regard to suicide?

Suicide is taking one’s own life and is forbidden by the 5^th Commandment, “Thou shall not kill.” As the Catechism says, suicide “contradicts the natural inclination of the human being to preserve and perpetuate his life... It likewise offends love of neighbor” and it “is contrary to love for the living God.” (2281)

Does committing suicide condemn someone to hell? Objectively speaking the answer is yes. Suicide is a grave sin which, if done with full knowledge (knowledge of the sinful character of the act, of its opposition to God's law) and deliberate consent (sufficiently deliberate to be a personal choice), then the person is responsible for the grave sin and will suffer the eternal consequences of their action.

It is good to keep in mind, however, that “grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture” can diminish someone’s responsibility (Catechism, 2282). Thus, we should never assume to be able to ultimately judge a person’s level of responsibility, most especially those who struggle with severe mental health issues. Only God knows the heart.

Consequently, “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” (Catechism, 2283).

In Christ,

Msgr. Baker