A gentle reminder from a Catholic priest: committing suicide is a sin.
“[The] taking of one’s life is a sin. The Church would not condone that for whatever reason. We must understand that oftentimes, when somebody tries to kill himself, there is something wrong with him mentally…that is the best way the Church understands those who try to kill themselves,” said Fr. Francis Lucas, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Social Communication and Mass Media.
“Well first, it is not proven. It’s not yet confirmed. We cannot comment unless he confirms it himself. It is just an allegation up to today. The police does not even confirm this,” Fr. Lucas added.
Fr. Lucas also advised that those who survived their suicide attempts to go to confession and to atone for trying to end his/her life.
The priest added that people who are facing difficulties in life should talk to people they trust and also to a priest who might understand their situation.
He ended the interview with a reminder of the value of life.
“Life is so precious because it was given by God…I always say we have rights, but it’s God who owns our [lives]…life is just a lease from God and he could get it from us anytime he wants. We know our birthdays are but we don’t know our death anniversary,” he added.
On Thursday, the bloodied 43-year old lawmaker was rushed to the hospital after he was found barely conscious inside his office at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City. He is now in stable condition. — VC, GMA News
