What is the church's teaching re brain disorders?

[Cassie]

I’ve read that in the past, the church would not give a catholic burial to those who committed suicide regardless of if they had a brain disorder, or psychosis, or were actively hallucinating (thought they could fly and jumped off a building for instance). Did they also refuse to give them last rites if they lived for a time after? If so, did that affectively bind their sins to them?

I understand that the church is more enlightened regarding brain disorders now. Have any of the policies changed – last rites, burial, etc.? Where can I find a history of teachings on brain disorders? I’ve read the Catechism and have no idea what it really means in practice.

Thank you.

 

[1ke]

Cassie:

I’ve read that in the past, the church would not give a catholic burial to those who committed suicide regardless of if they had a brain disorder, or psychosis, or were actively hallucinating (thought they could fly and jumped off a building for instance). Did they also refuse to give them last rites if they lived for a time after? If so, did that affectively bind their sins to them?

Canon Law governs the liturgies of the church, including who may receive a Catholic funeral. I cannot speak to “days gone by” as I do not know what canon law may have been.

The current canon law (revised in 1983) states the following, it makes no mention of suicide or other mental illness:

Can. 1184 ß1 Church funeral rites are to be denied to the following, unless they gave some signs of repentance before death:

1ƒ notorious apostates, heretics and schismatics;

2ƒ those who for anti‚christian motives chose that their bodies be cremated;

3ƒ other manifest sinners to whom a Church funeral could not be granted without public scandal to the faithful.

ß2 If any doubt occurs, the local Ordinary is to be consulted and his judgment followed.

My cousin committed suicide 10 years ago, and he did have a Catholic funeral Mass.

Cassie:

I understand that the church is more enlightened regarding brain disorders now. Have any of the policies changed – last rites, burial, etc.? Where can I find a history of teachings on brain disorders? I’ve read the Catechism and have no idea what it really means in practice.

You might look for information in the Catholic Encyclopedia at www.newadvent.org and google info on the old code of canon law. Not really sure.