Terminally Ill California Woman with ALS Throws One Last Party Before Ending Her Life

[fladreamer]

But suicide is a mortal sin for Catholics.

I think it’d be best to say ‘‘potentially mortal sin’’, as 3 conditions need to be met for a sin committed by someone to be mortal. I’ve (and no one does, really) no way of knowing if she’s conscious of the gravity of the act, and if God judges that she’s not, then she has not commited a mortal sin per se. It’s been suggested that she’s not a believer, so God has to deal with someone who is not Christian, hopefully (for her), by invincible ignorance. And, as pointed out earlier, ‘‘grave fear of suffering’’ is a mitigating factor=the person is not guilty of a mortal sin.

 

[mikekle]

But suicide is a mortal sin for Catholics.

On the other hand, God would never give someone more than they could handle, so if someone decides to take their own life…well its pretty clear they have more than they can handle, so…?

 

[pianistclare]

On the other hand, God would never give someone more than they could handle, so if someone decides to take their own life…well its pretty clear they have more than they can handle, so…?

Suicide can be a very selfish act.
I had a suicide in the family.
He didn’t care a bit about what it did to everyone left behind.
That’s why it’s a such a terrible sin. Besides playing God, I mean.
Because it’s the ultimate disregard for your loved ones, your friends, your survivors.
It solves nothing.

May God have have mercy on all who chose this.

 

[fladreamer]

On the other hand, God would never give someone more than they could handle, so if someone decides to take their own life…well its pretty clear they have more than they can handle, so…?

That is one of those things you keep hearing but aren’t sure where they originate from. I seriously doubt it’s Christian doctrine. I also doubt God feels particularly bound by that phrase. I can think of many, many instances where people, especially but not exclusively, young ones had way more than they could handle.

 

[mikekle]

That is one of those things you keep hearing but aren’t sure where they originate from. I seriously doubt it’s Christian doctrine. I also doubt God feels particularly bound by that phrase. I can think of many, many instances where people, especially but not exclusively, young ones had way more than they could handle.

Im not sure where it comes from, although I do remember hearing this all the time when I went to catholic school, I have a feeling it comes from Lots experience and what he went thru, God allowed satan to test/tempt him, but God always knew how much Lot could endure and restricted satan in this regard.

Thats my best guess to where this came from?

 

[Sarcelle]

But suicide is a mortal sin for Catholics.

Notice that I put in a reference to the Agony in the Garden. Jesus, knowing he will undergo great suffering finally decides to follow the Father’s will. This woman is in the same position.

How many of us have that fortitude? Not a lot. Now I understand what the line the Lord’s Prayer when it says “Do not lead us to the test.”

Well this is the test. Suffer horribly and die according to God’s timetable or exit early.

I pray that I do not undergo this test. I honestly do not know what I will do.

 

[fladreamer]

Im not sure where it comes from, although I do remember hearing this all the time when I went to catholic school, I have a feeling it comes from Lots experience and what he went thru, God allowed satan to test/tempt him, but God always knew how much Lot could endure and restricted satan in this regard.

Thats my best guess to where this came from?

You have to wonder if God used the same principle in his dealings with Job. I mean, what could have been worse in Job’s situation?

 

[njlisa]

Here’s the verse I think we’re after.

No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13, New American Bible Revised Edition)​

 

[truetofaith]

Here’s the verse I think we’re after.

No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13, New American Bible Revised Edition)​

In this day & age the way out would be pain killing drugs when it gets too unbearable. I wouldn’t want to lose my salvation over a few more months of pain.

 

[adamhovey1988]

You slowly loose all use of your body until finally it affects you lunges and you can’t breathe anymore and you then choke to death.

I am a hospice volunteer I have seen it.

I don’t know what I would do I hope I never get ALS - horrible death sentence.

I pray for her and her family.

Could you have said that a little nicer? Since I have an uncle that has ALS my father had ALS my grandfather had ALS and another uncle that died from ALS. I know what you’re saying and I don’t blame you I had a friend that had cancer that said he would rather have cancer than ALS may he rest in peace as well as all my family that died.

 

[adamhovey1988]

In this day & age the way out would be pain killing drugs when it gets too unbearable. I wouldn’t want to lose my salvation over a few more months of pain.

You know I’m pretty sure my father would not have wanted something like this to happen to him he died at the age of 45 in fact we were trying to make sure he lived he died of medical malpractice

 

[meltzerboy]

According to the article, she doesn’t mention God at all …so I suspect she doesn’t believe in an afterlife.

I hate to say it, but life would be easier all around if there was no God. There would be very few restrictions…you would only worry about getting caught by the law for stealing, murder and lying under oath.
No worries about sexual sins, cursing, or keeping the Sabbath holy. By being accountable to God makes life a lot harder!

I don’t know about that. For some (many) believers, G-d brings a disciplined, orderly life of meaning and purpose, and the restrictions are in fact beneficial. It’s debatable and dependent on what your view of G-d is. At the same time, there are some non-believers who are not so happy because they lack meaning and order in their lives.

With regard to this poor woman, I would hope that if we humans can be forgiving, then surely G-d must be.

 

[Rosebud77]

What concerned is that she made suicide seem so… attractive and even romantic. Sorry if those seem the wrong words… .A party, and all the trimmings thereto. Hoping it does not encourage more to follow her example.

 

[Padres1969]

What concerned is that she made suicide seem so… attractive and even romantic. Sorry if those seem the wrong words… .A party, and all the trimmings thereto. Hoping it does not encourage more to follow her example.

Well she definitely made her death seem better than it would have been if she’d let her disease continue to run it’s course. I mean she died surrounded by friends and family celebrating her life (while still being able to participate herself). She went to sleep for good peacefully watching the sun set over the Pacific.

I mean you can’t deny it’s in many ways better than the death that awaited her paralyzed and asphyxiating to death in some hospital or hospice room after having endured a prolonged and painful suffering leading up to it. If you don’t believe in God or in the concepts of morality as Catholics and most other Christians present them with regard to the issue of assisted suicide, my own church included, in many ways it is hard to see what the downside is to what she did even without romanticizing it.

 

[meltzerboy]

Well she definitely made her death seem better than it would have been if she’d let her disease continue to run it’s course. I mean she died surrounded by friends and family celebrating her life (while still being able to participate herself). She went to sleep for good peacefully watching the sun set over the Pacific.

I mean you can’t deny it’s in many ways better than the death that awaited her paralyzed and asphyxiating to death in some hospital or hospice room after having endured a prolonged and painful suffering leading up to it. If you don’t believe in God or in the concepts of morality as Catholics and most other Christians present them with regard to the issue of assisted suicide, my own church included, in many ways it is hard to see what the downside is to what she did even without romanticizing it.

Apart from the Jewish prohibition against euthanasia, whether or not (physician) assisted, I myself cannot fault this woman. I see this as a personal issue, perhaps THE most personal issue, of one’s life. Life is hard enough; must dying and death be just as hard?

 

[1990Domer]

That is one of those things you keep hearing but aren’t sure where they originate from. I seriously doubt it’s Christian doctrine. I also doubt God feels particularly bound by that phrase. I can think of many, many instances where people, especially but not exclusively, young ones had way more than they could handle.

Here is a link about suffering that Jesus revealed to Saint Faustina:

coraevans.com/blog/article/the-most-inspiring-quotes-from-st.-faustinas-diary

There is dignity in suffering. Sadly, we live in an utilitarian and entitled world. And we are headed in the wrong direction.

 

[1990Domer]

According to the article, she doesn’t mention God at all …so I suspect she doesn’t believe in an afterlife.

I hate to say it, but life would be easier all around if there was no God. There would be very few restrictions…you would only worry about getting caught by the law for stealing, murder and lying under oath.
No worries about sexual sins, cursing, or keeping the Sabbath holy. By being accountable to God makes life a lot harder!

It also makes life a lot less meaningful and a lot less rewarding, not to mention potentially missing out on the glory of Heaven.

 

[truetofaith]

It also makes life a lot less meaningful and a lot less rewarding, not to mention potentially missing out on the glory of Heaven.

I do believe in God but I was just trying to convey how a lot of people ( young & old ) are living as though there is no God. eg. Living together & getting babies without any thought of marriage, drug use, road rage etc. and committing suicide with no thought of eternal consequences.

 

[truetofaith]

Well she definitely made her death seem better than it would have been if she’d let her disease continue to run it’s course. I mean she died surrounded by friends and family celebrating her life (while still being able to participate herself). She went to sleep for good peacefully watching the sun set over the Pacific.

I mean you can’t deny it’s in many ways better than the death that awaited her paralyzed and asphyxiating to death in some hospital or hospice room after having endured a prolonged and painful suffering leading up to it. If you don’t believe in God or in the concepts of morality as Catholics and most other Christians present them with regard to the issue of assisted suicide, my own church included, in many ways it is hard to see what the downside is to what she did even without romanticizing it.

What she did was …attend her own wake!

 

[njlisa]

I don’t know whether we have discussed this part of the Catechism. If we have, please excuse the repetition.

2282 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.

Thanks for adding to the discussion. Every post has shined more light on this difficult topic.

God bless you all.