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Bereavement, Grief & Loss

In death, God calls man to himself.

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Resources

Vermont Catholic Charities

Main Office – South Burlington
55 Joy Drive
South Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 658-6111 or
Toll Free: 1-877-250-4099

Rutland Office
1 Scale Avenue
Howe Center
Box 93, Unit 209
Rutland, VT 05701
(802) 773-3379
Toll Free: 1-800-851-8379

Middlebury
73 Weybridge Street
Middlebury, VT 05753
(802) 855-3016

St. Albans Office
246 Lake Street
St. Albans, VT 05701
(802) 658-6111

National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line 741-741

Catholic Teaching Regarding Suicide

Catechism, 2281 “Suicide contradicts the natural inclination of the human being to preserve and perpetuate his life. ”

It is gravely contrary to 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 contrary to love for the living God.

“Everyone is responsible for his life before God who has given it to him. It is God who remains the sovereign Master of life. We are obliged to accept life gratefully and preserve it for his honor and the salvation of our souls. We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of.” (CCC, 2280).

Catechism (#2282) teaches that these factors can diminish responsibility for the taking of one’s own life: “Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide.” When these factors are present, the Church recognizes that the person’s ability to make a free choice was likely impaired.

Catechism of the Catholic Church (#2283) reassures us, “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.”

Catechism (1861) tells us, “…although we can judge that an act is in itself a grave offense, we must entrust judgment of persons to the justice and mercy of God.” In Christian hope we are called to trust in God’s mercy for our loved ones as well as for ourselves.