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Suicide Unfortunately many of us know of someone who has committed suicide. Unfortunately many of us know of someone who has committed suicide. We are left with haunting questions. We are left with haunting questions. Why did they do it? Why did they do it? What might I have done to prevent it? What might I have done to prevent it? Why didn’t we notice the emotional distress sooner? Why didn’t we notice the emotional distress sooner? Religion also causes additional problems in that we ask ourselves how God might look at suicide and Religion also causes additional problems in that we ask ourselves how God might look at suicide and what will be the person’s eternal destiny? what will be the person’s eternal destiny? We should look upon suicide as a disease like a stroke or heart attack and the person dies suddenly and unexpectedly. We should look upon suicide as a disease like a stroke or heart attack and the person dies suddenly and unexpectedly. All of us have loved someone dearly that has been suddenly taken from us because of a purely physical illness over which we had no control. All of us have loved someone dearly that has been suddenly taken from us because of a purely physical illness over which we had no control. We shouldn’t spend a great deal of time worrying about what we might have done to prevent a suicide or being angry with the person who committed the act. We shouldn’t spend a great deal of time worrying about what we might have done to prevent a suicide or being angry with the person who committed the act.

Second Guessing You can’t second guess a heart attack or a stroke so why then should we try to second guess a suicide? You can’t second guess a heart attack or a stroke so why then should we try to second guess a suicide? God loved this person just like we did and remained faithful by not interfering with the person’s free will. God loved this person just like we did and remained faithful by not interfering with the person’s free will. In earlier times a person who committed suicide would often be denied funeral rites and even burial in a Church cemetery. In earlier times a person who committed suicide would often be denied funeral rites and even burial in a Church cemetery. However, some consideration has always been taken into account of the person's mental state at the time of the suicide. However, some consideration has always been taken into account of the person's mental state at the time of the suicide. Canon law no longer specifically mentions suicide as a reason to deny funeral rites or burial in a Church Cemetery. Canon law no longer specifically mentions suicide as a reason to deny funeral rites or burial in a Church Cemetery.

Grave Disturbances The official teachings of the Catholic Church is found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and it says: The official teachings of the Catholic Church is found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and it says: “Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide.” “Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide.” “We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. “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 repentance. By ways known to Him alone, God can provide the opportunity for repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives.” The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives.” We should find comfort in this official teaching. We should find comfort in this official teaching.