What should I tell my son about the suicide of a classmate?

[mthocott]

Recently a classmate of my son in eighth grade took his own life (a horrific tragedy). Some children and teachers said that we don’t need to pray for him because he is in heaven. How can they be sure of that? Don’t children of this age go to purgatory also? I don’t want my children to think it is okay to commit sins, refuse Communion (which this boy had done), commit suicide, and then be admitted to heaven automatically. Even my 11-year-old can understand that there is something wrong with this picture. We did talk about the Church’s teachings on suicide, and that God in his mercy may have given him a chance to repent “between the last moments of consciousness and unconsciousness,” especially since the child was so young and troubled. However, does that mean heaven automatically?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

It sounds to me that you gave your son all of the information he needs. It seems though that his classmates and teachers could use more information, especially since it seems from your comments that he goes to a Catholic school. I recommend talking to the principal, and pointing out that the teachers’ comments and their lack of correction of the children’s comments are depriving the deceased youngster of prayers that only God knows for sure whether or not he needs. If this is not a Catholic school, you could ask the principal that the teachers at least refrain from presenting religious concepts in a manner that not all of the students and their families may share.