Traditional Catholic response to Cupich’s suicide distortion

Source Summary

Cardinal Blase Cupich has erected the first U.S. Catholic cemetery memorial dedicated to suicide, framing it as an evolution in the Church’s understanding. But is it mercy — or is it a dangerous distortion of Catholic teaching? John-Henry Westen responds with the traditional Catholic teaching that the cardinal’s press release conveniently omits. Suicide is a grave moral matter. But the Church has never taught that every person who dies by suicide is necessarily condemned. Mental illness, depression, and diminished capacity are taken into account. Judgment belongs to God alone. What the Church does not do is presume salvation. A memorial [...]