Is suicide a mortal sin?

Michie · Aug 28, 2022

Sadly, it’s a difficult situation many families face daily. The news of a loved one’s death is always heartbreaking and leaves those behind with substantial grief. The pain can be multiplied when the death comes because of suicide. Suicide leaves an even greater hole in the hearts of loved ones because it is compounded by questions left unanswered. However, is suicide a mortal sin? Has the Catholic Church changed its teaching on suicide?

The evolution of understanding suicide has caused the Church to reexamine the consequences once faces at the other end of the decision. The teaching of the severity of suicide has not changed. However, considerations have been taken into account by the Church regarding if one is capable of making a rational decision at the time of the suicide. That teaching has not always been present within the Church.

Continued below.
Is suicide a mortal sin?

Trusting in Him · Aug 28, 2022

Of course suicide is a sin! It is the ultimate denial that things are so bad that even God can not make things better. Since God is the one who can do all things no matter how how impossible these things are, there is no reason to lose hope in God.

Michie · Aug 28, 2022

Trusting in Him said:
Of course suicide is a sin! It is the ultimate denial that things are so bad that even God can not make things better. Since God is the one who can do all things no matter how how impossible these things are, there is no reason to lose hope in God.

I think mental illness can be an exception.

Michie · Aug 28, 2022

The Church teaches there are considerations for reasons behind suicide which could diminish the responsibility of the individual and the consequences to that person’s soul. Circumstances such as a grave psychological disorder, anguish, grave fear of hardship or suffering, or torture, can all play a factor in determining the state of one’s soul following suicide.

The Catholic Church no longer automatically denies an individual a funeral rite or Catholic burial because of suicide. It does, however, require a study of the circumstances surrounding the suicide to determine if the decision was done with full consent and full understanding of the gravity of the act. Canon Law 1184 only mentions three circumstances which would deny an individual a Catholic burial and Catholic funeral. Those circumstances are 1) a notorious apostate, a heretic, or schismatic 2) those who request cremation for motives contrary to the Christian faith 3) Manifest sinners to whom a Church funeral cannot be granted without causing public scandal to the faithful.

Upon Pope John Paul II’s approval of the Catechism of the Catholic Church in 1992, recognition of the circumstances surrounding a suicide were recognized for the first time. It should come as a comfort to many families who have loved ones struggling with mental illness or who have chosen suicide that only God can determine one’s mental state at the time of the act and, thus, provides for grace and mercy for many.

eastcoast_bsc · Aug 28, 2022

To quote Pope Francis “who am I to judge “? People go through struggles in life and sometimes mental struggles are the most difficult. I feel strongly that God knows the intentions of our hearts and our deep struggles. God is merciful.

Blade · Aug 28, 2022

No offense but praise God man get no say in this. We all get sick yet we forget the mind can get sick also.

RileyG · Aug 28, 2022

Trusting in Him said:
Of course suicide is a sin! It is the ultimate denial that things are so bad that even God can not make things better. Since God is the one who can do all things no matter how how impossible these things are, there is no reason to lose hope in God.

What about those with severe depression and their thinking is clouded?

RileyG · Aug 28, 2022

Blade said:
No offense but praise God man get no say in this. We all get sick yet we forget the mind can get sick also.

Amen.

longhair75 · Aug 28, 2022

My older brother took his own life. He was an alcoholic. He was always ashamed of our humble beginnings as lower working class folk and never able to resolve this. I am no doctor, but from everything I have read it is my opinion that he suffered from chronic depression. His alcoholism and his overcompensation for our family led to many poor decisions. He was unable to sustain a relationship or keep a job. When I got the phone call that he had shot himself in a transient hotel in Florida, I was very sad but not surprised.

I do not understand why anyone would take their own life, but with the mental anguish it takes to do so leads me to believe that the intent needed to commit a mortal sin is not there for these tortured souls.

mama2one · Aug 28, 2022

a lot of well know people have taken their lives recently

we have no idea what the people were going through, how their minds were thinking, or if they were suffering from physical and/or mental disease

only God knows and is the one to decide

Trusting in Him · Aug 29, 2022

RileyG said:
What about those with severe depression and their thinking is clouded?

Mental illness is a difficult one and we are not to judge, but God judges righteously and knows the motivations of every heart. As far as I am aware I doing think that the bible has much to say about this, apart from the deaths of Saul and Jonathan and even there the bible only mentions it as a historical fact.

mama2one · Aug 30, 2022

RileyG · Aug 31, 2022

We should keep ALL suicides in our daily prayers. period. God knows we need to pray for them.

RileyG · Aug 31, 2022

Trusting in Him said:
Mental illness is a difficult one and we are not to judge, but God judges righteously and knows the motivations of every heart. As far as I am aware I doing think that the bible has much to say about this, apart from the deaths of Saul and Jonathan and even there the bible only mentions it as a historical fact.

You are correct the bible does not have much to say about mental illness. It's a a difficult topic after all. It does not have much to say about suicide other than those you mentioned.

RileyG · Aug 31, 2022

longhair75 said:
My older brother took his own life. He was an alcoholic. He was always ashamed of our humble beginnings as lower working class folk and never able to resolve this. I am no doctor, but from everything I have read it is my opinion that he suffered from chronic depression. His alcoholism and his overcompensation for our family led to many poor decisions. He was unable to sustain a relationship or keep a job. When I got the phone call that he had shot himself in a transient hotel in Florida, I was very sad but not surprised.

I do not understand why anyone would take their own life, but with the mental anguish it takes to do so leads me to believe that the intent needed to commit a mortal sin is not there for these tortured souls.

I am sorry for the loss of your brother. He will remain in my daily prayers. May God grant him eternal rest.

Is suicide a mortal sin?

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