What do Catholics teach about suicide

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I just got news from a bunch of friends online that a guy a year younger than me who played on the same high school football team committed suicide last night. I can’t really say that I was close to the guy and from what I can tell none of his close friends saw any of the signs, although we usually notice them in hindsight it appears. I was just wondering what the Catholic church teaches about suicide. I know some faiths say it’s an instant ticket to hell while others don’t. Any answers/opinions or whatever would be great, also please keep the guy and his family in your prayers as it is a tragic loss. Thank you, God bless.
 
I just got news from a bunch of friends online that a guy a year younger than me who played on the same high school football team committed suicide last night. I can’t really say that I was close to the guy and from what I can tell none of his close friends saw any of the signs, although we usually notice them in hindsight it appears. I was just wondering what the Catholic church teaches about suicide. I know some faiths say it’s an instant ticket to hell while others don’t. Any answers/opinions or whatever would be great, also please keep the guy and his family in your prayers as it is a tragic loss. Thank you, God bless.
Praying for the repose of his soul.
 
I’ll go ahead and quote the entire section from the Catechism, but the last two paragraphs which I put in bold address your question:
Suicide

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 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 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 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.
I am praying for him, and also for his family and friends.
 
I just got news from a bunch of friends online that a guy a year younger than me who played on the same high school football team committed suicide last night. I can’t really say that I was close to the guy and from what I can tell none of his close friends saw any of the signs, although we usually notice them in hindsight it appears. I was just wondering what the Catholic church teaches about suicide. I know some faiths say it’s an instant ticket to hell while others don’t. Any answers/opinions or whatever would be great, also please keep the guy and his family in your prayers as it is a tragic loss. Thank you, God bless.
We do believe that this is the ultimate sin. However, none of us can say how culpable a mentally ill person might be when this happens either. Only God knows that.

Sudden changes in neurotransmitter levels can result in sudden and severe depressions, hallucinations and confusion. How do we know the person was sorry at the last moment or even during the act of suicide, but could not see any other answer to their situation? We now have a better understanding of depression, head trauma, illnesses that can affect the mind and so on. Suicide may not be what the person really intended or wanted to do, so there may be little culpability. I say that we should always pray for them and their families.

Sin requires knowledge that the action is wrong, desire to do wrong and consent. I have to wonder just how much consent a person can have when their emotions and mind have hit bottom.
 
Lord, please spare this departed soul and embrace him into the eternal kingdom with a privileged seat at the eternal banquet. Comfort with many graces and the gentle comfort of holy angels all who suffer from this departure. Somehow, through the mystery of suffering, draw these souls toward the eternal banquet of life. Spare them rays of heavenly light as a foretaste of the afterlife, that they might be emboldened by its warmth and love, always traveling to your Sacred Heart. Have mercy, Lord. Our Lady, angels, and saints, pray with us. Amen.
 
We do believe that this is the ultimate sin. However, none of us can say how culpable a mentally ill person might be when this happens either. Only God knows that.

Sudden changes in neurotransmitter levels can result in sudden and severe depressions, hallucinations and confusion. How do we know the person was sorry at the last moment or even during the act of suicide, but could not see any other answer to their situation? We now have a better understanding of depression, head trauma, illnesses that can affect the mind and so on. Suicide may not be what the person really intended or wanted to do, so there may be little culpability. I say that we should always pray for them and their families.

Sin requires knowledge that the action is wrong, desire to do wrong and consent. I have to wonder just how much consent a person can have when their emotions and mind have hit bottom.
A person does not have to be mentally I’ll to commit suicide. I find it wrong that it’s so common for people to lump the two things together. Most people who commit suicide are lucid enough to know what they are doing. People get sad and make bad decisions… Let’s not make life’s regular hardships into some sort of medical malady.

I mean no offense, just that these stretches of truth need to stop. It furthers the stigma and reduces the one whose sufferings caused them to end their life to mere chemicals in the brain. Love is not chemicals. If it were, all this religion stuff would be useless, baseless, and a waste of time.
 
I just got news from a bunch of friends online that a guy a year younger than me who played on the same high school football team committed suicide last night. I can’t really say that I was close to the guy and from what I can tell none of his close friends saw any of the signs, although we usually notice them in hindsight it appears. I was just wondering what the Catholic church teaches about suicide. I know some faiths say it’s an instant ticket to hell while others don’t. Any answers/opinions or whatever would be great, also please keep the guy and his family in your prayers as it is a tragic loss. Thank you, God bless.
I’m sorry for your loss. The faith has always taught it is a grave sin against god, but the new catechism (as someone quoted here) tells us that we do not know what happens and that we can hope for gods pardon for this person, pray for his soul.

I remember something about Padre Pio … A woman came to him upset that her husband ( or was it her son?) had committed suicide by jumping off a bridge. His reply to her was not to worry, that he was saved because he repented at the last moment after he jumped. God knows a person’s heart and soul and makes He makes right judgements. We can take peace from that.
 
Saint Michael, the archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil, may God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O’ Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God thrust into Hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls.

Amen.

†

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

†

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

†
 
I just got news from a bunch of friends online that a guy a year younger than me who played on the same high school football team committed suicide last night. I can’t really say that I was close to the guy and from what I can tell none of his close friends saw any of the signs, although we usually notice them in hindsight it appears. I was just wondering what the Catholic church teaches about suicide. I know some faiths say it’s an instant ticket to hell while others don’t. Any answers/opinions or whatever would be great, also please keep the guy and his family in your prayers as it is a tragic loss. Thank you, God bless.
I’m sorry for your loss. The faith has always taught that it’s a grave sin, but the new catechism ( quoted here by another poster) states that we do not know what happens to their soul and that we can hold on to hope and pray for them.

I remember something about Padre Pio… A woman had come to him upset that her husband ( or was it her son?) had committed suicide by jumping off a bridge. He told her to be at peace because her husband had repented before he died after he jumped. We can have peace in God. He makes right decisions and he knows these people’s hearts and souls. We can have peace and thanks in that.

May God bless you and those effected by this tragedy.
 
Praying for your intention!

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…

Benedicat Deus,
Latinitas
 
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord
may perpetual light shine upon him
and may he rest in peace Amen

For One Who Died by Suicide

God, lover of souls, You hold dear what You have made and spare all things, for they are Yours. Look gently upon Your servant (Name), and by the Blood of the corss forgive his/her sins and failings. Remember the faith of those who mourn and satisfy their longing for that day when all will be made new again in Christ, our risen Lord, who lives and reigns with You forever and ever. Amen.

For One Who Died Accidentally or Violently

Lord our God, You are always faithful and quick to show mercy. (Name) was suddenly (or violently) taken from us. Come swiftly to his/her aid, have mercy on him/her, and comfort his/her family and friends by the power and protection of the cross. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Eternal God , in whom mercy is endless,
and the treasury of compassion inexhastible ,
look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us ,
that in difficult moments we might not despair
nor become despondent , but with great confidence ,
submit ourselves to Your Holy Will ,
which is love and mercy itself . Amen

Memorare (Prayer to Our Lady)
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen
 
Saint Michael, the archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil, may God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O’ Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God thrust into Hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls.

Amen.

†

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

†

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

†
 
I thought I’d provide another point to consider amongst all the excellent information already offered above.

Some prescription medication can be deadly due to side-effects. Is there a possibility he may have been using such a medication?

For example, one of my dear friends used a medication to quit smoking after 50 years of smoking daily. It went so well for her that she quit within 5 days and never resumed. Years later, one of my sisters used the same medication. It worked for her, too, and just as quickly. However… and here’s where it may be relevant to the unfortunate demise of your friend… when my sister started smoking again due to stress from an injury, the doctor prescribed the same medication, and within 24 hours, she found herself overwhelmed by immense suicidal ideations. She says they came upon her so quickly, she forced herself to lie in bed and grip the sides of the mattress, praying aloud, because her thoughts were telling her to get a knife from the kitchen and stab herself in the neck! The logical side of her brain was telling her “no, no! you have no reason to do that!” but she could not stop the racing thoughts!

Because she is well-versed in the topic of mental illness (being mentally ill herself all her life), she knew what she was feeling was wrong. It was night, so she asked some neighbors to come over to stay with her, and they took her to see her physician in the morning. Her doctor had her discontinue those pills, and the ideations ceased. She never took another of the pills, and she never had another episode like that one.

Some people might be on a prescription medication that they hope would be good for them, but the side-effects might be horrible, and they may not know that it’s a side-effect they are feeling, falling into such deep despair.

May your friend’s family find peace. May your friend’s soul be at rest. May all of you be blessed.
 
I lost my brother to suicide in 1996.

Praying for your friend’s brother and his entire family…
 
Prayer for those who have ended their lives:

Almighty God, Our Heavenly Father, we understand that Thy sixth commandment, “Thou shalt do no murder,” includes self murder. But in Thy divine mercy, we beg Thy forgiveness especially for Jerbear’s teammate, who has been so confounded by the pressures of this life that they felt there was no way they could continue. Grant, we beseech Thee, that they be forgiven their sin and accepted into Thy divine providence, and that they may come to understand Thy ways and Thy nature. We ask this in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.

I believe completely and totally in a merciful God. We should rejoice that our God is Just. He knows all the factors that go into our every decision, He sees things that no human heart can. He loves each and every one of us, and if someone we love or care about has taken their life, we can bet that God will judge them justly and mercifully.
 
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