In the Gospel of John, a woman is accused of adultery. The people of her town surround her with stones in their hands—the law mandates that anyone who commits adultery be punished. Yet, when Jesus arrives, he reasons with the crowd until they trickle away.
Jesus says to the woman, “Where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, sir,” the woman replies.
With complete tranquility and understanding, Jesus says to the adulteress, “Neither do I condemn you.”
This is the Jesus of our Church; he neither condemns nor abandons. In fact, he tells us repeatedly that nothing is unforgivable. Nothing is “essentially irredeemable.”
Even suicide.
While it is true that the Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “Suicide is contrary to love for the living God,” nowhere does it state that people who die by suicide are undoubtably barred from Heaven. Within the context of a faith that is predicated upon the mystery of life, death, and resurrection, we believe that our God is loving and merciful in the face of sorrow and despair. He offers hope, not condemnation.
Even in the case of Judas Iscariot, I doubt suicide is the primary reason he is in Dante’s ninth circle of hell; perhaps that’s because Judas knowingly betrayed Jesus over and over again, leading to the death of the Son of God.
A greater emphasis on care and compassion for others, rather than a judgement on their potential damnation, is needed in the Church’s consideration of suicide. We now know more than ever before in our human history that struggles with mental health are major factors in causing death by suicide. A 2018 study by the National Library of Medicine shows that over 90% of deaths by suicide occurred in people who have suffered from mental disorders. Depression, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder are three of many diagnosable issues that signal a need for health care. They do not signal a lack of love for God.
Therefore, Catholics ought not to cast a judgmental gaze upon those who have died by suicide. Instead, we need to address its root causes so that people who are suffering can be taken care of just as Jesus would have taken care of them. Trusting in the mercy of God, they are in a better place.
In memory of all those who have died by suicide: we do not condemn you.
Mary Rose is a Senior majoring in English and Perspectives and minoring in Management for Social Impact and Public Good. In addition to reading and writing, she enjoys bopping with the Full Swing dance team, working at the Church in the 21st Century Center, and leading projects for IATG: The Feminist Society of BC.
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