a friend of mine recently ended his life with a bullet to his head..a few days after the funeral i saw a memorial type thank you in the paper from the family of the deceased...the family is catholic and at the end of the article they thanked the parish priest for being there and being a dear friend...what can an honest priest say? your son is going to hell according to catholic teaching?...this really wonders me....any ideas
2007-06-06 14:09:23 · 12 answers · asked by jstrmbill 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Actually, the official teachings of the Roman Catholic Church is that any person who is so mentally disordered that they can successfully commit suicide is not morally culpable for their actions.
In short, the Church teaches that grace may still save the person if the actions for which they are morally culpable are justified by Christ, because the actions for which they are not morally culpable will not be weighed against them.
2007-06-06 14:14:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Only God can read the hearts of people. Only God knows what was in the heart of the victim moments before he commited suicide.
It's quite possible that suicide suicide may not necessarily lead to automatic condemnation to hell.
What if the victim was mentally disturbed in some way? What if the victim was having adverse effects to medication? There are a number of things that could lead a person to suicide without the victims full consent of will. In such cases, the culpability of suicide can be lessened.
Even if the victim did commit suicide with full consent of the will, is the family not entitled to spiritual consolation from their parish priest? Is it against the will of God to hope and pray for the salvation of the suicide victim? Of course it is not. They are indeed entitled to spiritual consolation. They are indeed rigthly hopeful that - through some circumstance beyond our understand and/or known only to God, it's right to hope for the salvation of the victim.
While suicide is a grave sin, it is the circumstances/context in which such an unforntunate event takes place that will determine the final destination of the victim's soul.
Do not forget, God is merciful as well as just. That's why there's always hope.
2007-06-07 07:57:27 · answer #2 · answered by Daver 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wrong. We Catholics do not believe all suicides go to hell. Only God can read a soul and know it's sins. If someone was truly ill or out of their mind in a way then they may not be held guilty. We hope in Christ's Divine Mercy.
2007-06-06 21:12:38 · answer #3 · answered by Debra M. Wishing Peace To All 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hmmmmmmm you don't know Catholic teaching, it does not teach suicides go to hell.
it says that it is a grave sin but diminished mental and emotional capacity of suicides lessens their ability to think rationally and clearly and therefore their judgement and the gravity of the sin.
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.
2007-06-06 21:17:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
the catholic church recognises suicide as a sin, however the church is not in a position to determine who goes to heaven or hell, that is up to god. the priest can honestly expect the person to go to heaven as his opinion would only be theoligical regarding the fate of your friend. your friend was not in his right state of mind so it is possible that with gods mercy that he may be in purgatory for purification or possibly heaven, only god knows that one. sorry for your loss and hope this helped. locate a catechism if you want to learn more or you could try ask the panel of experts at www.ewtn.com
2007-06-06 21:21:50 · answer #5 · answered by fenian1916 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An honest priest would say, we don't know what went on in your son's last seconds of life. We believe God is a compassionate Father, who understands pain and loves His children. We all hope for mercy.
2007-06-06 21:13:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
generally , christians believe that as long as you committed suicide, you are robbing a life that God gave you, and is sin. so you might not end up in heaven.
but ultimately, it is up to God to judge that person's heart and spiritual condition at the point of death.
we as priests, pastors or christians cannot say, yea that person is in hell, because, this does not help the grieving family and is very insensitive, and also, realy,it is up to God to judge.
2007-06-06 21:14:20 · answer #7 · answered by sylll 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Priests are human too. They'd say what anyone else would say. Every word that comes out from their mouth doesn't have to be a quote from the bible.
2007-06-06 21:18:38 · answer #8 · answered by º§enzå 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well perhaps you should ask that Priest?
Perhaps that Priest understands that there are some things which Rome is wrong about?
Was your friend's funeral service held at the local Catholic Parish?
Pastor Art
2007-06-06 21:13:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
First, I'd like to tell you how sorry I am about your friend's death. Second, if your friend was saved, he is in Heaven with Jesus right now. You don't go to Hell for anything other than forsaking Jesus. I hope this helps you. God bless.
2007-06-06 21:16:37 · answer #10 · answered by the pink baker 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋