Catholic Beliefs.

[cat woman]

This is a serious question to devout catholics.

Recently a friend of my mother, who was been treated in hospital for severe depression after several attemps of trying to take her own life.  Sadly just over a week ago she suceeded.

She was catholic and her catholic church refused to give her a catholic funeral; Eg:- she wasn't given a burial, and was taken into church "FEET FIRST" WHY!!!  Surely this poor woman had suffered enough in her tormented life, Is'nt it up to our Lord to decide to forgive her the way wanted to end her life!

I would be most grateful for any answer to this delicate subject, I have thought about this since I was told, I feel that this was so unfair to her and her family as they had suffered enough. I know that this way of ending one,s life is frowned upon, but I can't help feeling saddened by the action of the catholic church. By the way my own faith Spiritualism.

[netibiza]

What a dreadful story.  I am an Anglican and also think my Church will not bury suicides - I think something to do with the Lord giving us life and we are not allowed to take it.  Maybe things have moved on in my church now, but here in Spain there in unhallowed ground for them to be buried in - I think its awfull!

[jcherbstritt]

That is horrible.  I am Catholic but I find it very difficult to accept such beliefs (along with the contraception stuff, the male domination, abortion rules, divorce rules...why AM i a Catholic I really don't know).  If it's any comfort, I think there are lots of Catholics who really do not like this tradition.  It is hardly about forgiveness and compassion which is what the church is supposed to be about.  It seems strange that people who commit suicide can't be buried in a respectful way, but I assume - though I don't know - if you murder someone else you can still be given a Catholic burial - does anyone know the ins and outs of this?  Why is someone who takes their own life not allowed a proper burial, but someone who has murdered - even in self-defense (e.g. soldiers) allowed to be buried properly.  It doesn't really follow.

[spikeybob]

I am not a believer in organized religion at all I beleive that there is something out there, and the  2 points shown are for me personally is why I dont believe. To my mind shouldnt the church be there in the first place to help (they may have If I am wrong  I am sorry) it is a very sad story I hope friends and family are o.k

[delilahcat]

Just one more example of how disgusting and useless organised religion is, I'm afraid. As everyone says, the church is the one place people should be able to turn to in times of difficulty and trouble, but they are so caught up in trying to maintain outdated principles and practices that have no place in a modern world that they are incapable of seeing the bigger picture.

I am so sorry for your friend and her family.

[Marvin84]

Cat woman....My deepest sympathies for you and your family.

[woofgang]

God sees into all hearts and nothing is hidden from Him. He will have watched your mum's suffering and welcomed her home however she got there.

[woofgang]

sorry I misread your post. of course I should have said the suffering of your mum's friend

[El D]

No Woofgang, according to the Catholic religion she will burn in hell. Those guys are great. Why is anyone catholic again?

[woofgang]

actually I think that they believe that she will go to purgatory.....still not  nice I agree. Can you tell that I am NOT catholic!!

[MargeB]

Yeah, I know why they do it.

!) Catholic burial rite: a celebration of the resurection for the just. It is to pray for the person an celebrate the fact that they have gone to eternal life.

2) Suicide is a mortal sin. In commiting it, as their very last act, they have cut themselves off from God and brought upon themselves eternal damnation.

There is, therefore, no way the catholic church could reconcile 1) and 2).

Which just goes to show, to reasonable minded people, what a complete load of lobbox the whole catholic charade is.

[Peter Pedant]

No marge B is right.

This is a problem with suicides - the churches have rules and have to follow them - or else they arent rules.

A very good friend committed suicide in his twenties, thirty years ago and none of us have got over it, and the Church not being much help. You can always hold your own service celebrating the good parts of his life.

[Little Lady]

Here Here Delilahcat!

Sorry to hear about your mothers friend cat woman it's such a sad thing that suicides are looked down upon like that. I know someone who jumped from a motorway bridge at the age of just 13 because of girl! She must have been deeply hurting and i am sorry.

[vernonk]

Which church was it, where? They should be named and shamed.