Suicide
Definition
It is a willful taking of
one’s life caused by longing for rest without conflict. It is the desire to
escape pain by getting rid of one self.
Common Reasons
·
extreme
depression, despair and hopelessness resulting from rejection or social
isolation
·
Psycho-
emotional disorder
o 20% has psychiatric
disorder (depression)
o 60% has psychopathic personalities (abnormal lack of empathy +
amoral conduct usually stems from neurological disorder which is biological in
origin)
Catholic Church on Suicide
·
Catholic
Moral Theology rejects every kind of suicide. Everyone is responsible for God’s
gift of life. We are obliged to accept life gratefully and preserve it. It is God who remains the sovereign Master of
life. We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is
not ours to dispose of.
·
Suicide
contradicts the natural inclination of the human being to preserve and
perpetuate his life thus it is gravely contradicts the just love of self.
·
It
likewise offends love of neighbor because it unjustly breaks the ties of
solidarity with family, nation, and other human societies to which we continue
to have obligations.
·
Suicide
is a rejection of the love for the living God.
Reflection
•
How
can we cope with our problems?
•
How
can we help a person who does not have a reason to live?
•
How
should we treat a person who has suicidal tendencies? How should we treat the
family of a person who committed suicide?
Challenge
•
Each
of us is ultimately sacred because we are loved by God who creates us from
nothing to share in his love.
•
As
Christians, we must do in all power to help those tempted to take their own lives
to recognize God’s personal love for them, and to continue to “hope in the
Lord.”
REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:
|
|
o Miranda,
Noel P. and Javier, Philip S. III. Called to Follow Christ in True Freedom.
Ateneo de Manila University: SIBS Publishing House, Inc., 2006
o Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines. Catechism for Filipino Catholics. 2006
o Astorga, Ma.
Christina A., Ph.D. Living the Faith Option: Christian Morality.
Quezon City: FNB Educational, Inc.2005
o Vincent J.
Genovesi, S.J. In Pursuit of Love
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