Hunger strike, is this a sin?

[chinie19]

I asked this question a few days ago but the answers were contradictory.
Who knows what the Church says on that matter? I’m not interested on personal opinions. I want to know the Catholic faith position.

 

[dconklin]

What is your definition of a hunger strike? What is the purpose? Is it self harm? Will it be taken to the point of suicide?

 

[chinie19]

What is your definition of a hunger strike? What is the purpose? Is it self harm? Will it be taken to the point of suicide?

I dont think all these questions matter unless the end justifies the means.

if I am on hungry srtike for the rigth reason and I die, did I commit suicide?

 

[DaisymaeD]

Yes, it is a sin. Yes, it is suicide.

The only reason for a hunger strike is to force your opponent’s hand so they give in to your demands. You are counting on them folding–that they will be so afraid of your death or the ensuing public outrage they will bend to your will. By definition, you have to keep starving yourself, or else you are only “crying wolf”. Even if they fold and either give in to your demands, or insert a feeding tube and force feed you, you are self-harming.

It’s wrong, even if your cause is righteous.

God bless!

 

[Catholic1954]

I asked this question a few days ago but the answers were contradictory.
Who knows what the Church says on that matter? I’m not interested on personal opinions. I want to know the Catholic faith position.

Your body does not belong to you and to do something that intentionally harms is a sin.

 

[babochka]

I asked this question a few days ago but the answers were contradictory.
Who knows what the Church says on that matter? I’m not interested on personal opinions. I want to know the Catholic faith position.

I don’t think a straighforward answer is possible.

What is the difference between a fast and a hunger strike? Cesar Chavez was known for his “hunger strikes”, as they were characterized in the press, but the truth is that he considered them to be religious fasts. He fasted in Thanksgiving. In his own words, he fasted as a call to justice and for non-violence. He fasted for himself and for the landowners who were the “enemy.” Whether we agree politically with him or not, that was how he saw what the media deemed to be “hunger strikes”.

A number of saints are known to have existed only on the Eucharist for years. What about them? Consider the story of Blessed Alexandrina Da Costa:

miraclesofthesaints.com/2010/10/miracle-of-eucharist-total-fast-from.html