69: Is Suicide a Sin?
Chapter 69 directly addresses the question, "Is Suicide a Sin?", firmly asserting that it is a grave offense due to its inherent injustice against God, the supreme master of life. The text dismisses agnostic arguments against suicide as nonsensical given their rejection of a divine legislator and thus the concept of sin itself. It argues that while charity obliges self-preservation, the ultimate reason suicide is sinful is man's lack of dominion over his own life, a gift solely from God. However, the chapter distinguishes between direct suicide and indirect killing, where a morally indifferent act with a good intention might unfortunately result in death (e.g., risky medical procedures for health, self-defense, or saving others), deeming such indirect cases non-criminal if proportionate reasons exist. Desiring death to escape suffering is also sinful if it implies rebellion against divine will.
For the full audiobook can be obtained here. The contents of this volume appeared originally in The Catholic Transcript, of Hartford, Connecticut, in weekly installments, from February, 1901, to February, 1903.
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