Suicide and Mortal Sin

[Soldier_Of_God]

Concerning suicide and mortal sin, I’ve been reviewing the various topics and answers an CAF that have been discussed on this site. It’s my understanding that, in general, suicide is condemns a person because…

It is a mortal sin is a sin of grave matter
It is a mortal sin is committed with full knowledge of the sinner
It is a mortal sin is committed with deliberate consent of the sinner

However, there I also understand that there can be mitigating cirucmstances that reduce responsibility. According the catechism of the Catholic church…

*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 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. *

This issue pertains speciafically to me. My ability to cope and manage my depression appears to be untenable. I’ve been suffering from severe depression for the better part of two decades and despite therapy and medication (and changes to medication and therapeutive approaches), my depression has been degenerating for the last year or so.

This mental anguish is intolerable and I plan to end my life in the near term. However, I greatly fear that I will be condemning myself, despite the mental anguish I am suffering from. My opinion is that I am making this decision will full consent and knowledge and, therefore, meet the criteria of being condemned by commtting a mortal sin.

Any thoughts?

 

[twoangels]

Concerning suicide and mortal sin, I’ve been reviewing the various topics and answers an CAF that have been discussed on this site. It’s my understanding that, in general, suicide is condemns a person because…

It is a mortal sin is a sin of grave matter
It is a mortal sin is committed with full knowledge of the sinner
It is a mortal sin is committed with deliberate consent of the sinner

However, there I also understand that there can be mitigating cirucmstances that reduce responsibility. According the catechism of the Catholic church…

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 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.

This issue pertains speciafically to me. My ability to cope and manage my depression appears to be untenable. I’ve been suffering from severe depression for the better part of two decades and despite therapy and medication (and changes to medication and therapeutive approaches), my depression has been degenerating for the last year or so.

This mental anguish is intolerable and I plan to end my life in the near term. However, I greatly fear that I will be condemning myself, despite the mental anguish I am suffering from. My opinion is that I am making this decision will full consent and knowledge and, therefore, meet the criteria of being condemned by commtting a mortal sin.

Any thoughts?

The Church’s current teaching is to understand that those who commit suicide may be so mentally unstable, they may not be fully culpable for their actions. However, it is not to say that suicide can be justified or that suicides are not at a strong risk of losing their salvation.

Honestly, when I suffered from severe depression, the thing that kept me alive was knowing that my suffering would not end. I would go to Hell and suffer for all eternity. The thing was, deep down I knew I didn’t want to die. I wanted the suffering to end and I didn’t know how to end it. Eventually too I realized that much of my thoughts after that turned toward self hatred and feeling unworthy of God’s love. I didn’t want to exist but then I was faced with the fact that my existance was entirely based on God’s love for me. To seek to destroy my life was to seek to destroy something God loved and cherished.

There is definitely a false humility in contemplating suicide. Sometimes you really need to look at it by thinking of yourself as another person. It might help to see yourself as a child loved by a Heavenly father. The problem is that you don’t love yourself or value yourself as the proper worth, so to gain an understanding of the morality of your action, you need to see yourself as someone else. After that, the next step is to pray to God to show you how He sees you. Ask to see yourself through His eyes.

And realize this too. There is such thing as redemptive suffering. So even if you feel powerless to your depression, your suffering can still be given a purpose by offering it up. If you say “Lord, I no longer have any reason to live, but I now live and thus live with the suffering for love of You. You suffered for me, and now I unit myself to Your cross and suffer with you. Please turn my suffering into something positive, just as you did with Your suffering.”

 

[Michael_Francis]

***Thank you to all who have responded and who are praying with and for this person.

Please be advised that counseling is being pursued offline and this thread is now closed.***