Bringing you the "Good News" of Jesus Christ and His Church While PROMOTING CATHOLIC Apologetic Support groups loyal to the Holy Father and Church's magisterium
Home About
AskACatholic.com
What's New? Resources The Church Family Life Mass and
Adoration
Ask A Catholic
Knowledge base
AskACatholic Disclaimer
Search the
AskACatholic Database
Donate and
Support our work
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
New Questions
Cool Catholic Videos
About Saints
Disciplines and Practices for distinct Church seasons
Purgatory and Indulgences
About the Holy Mass
About Mary
Searching and Confused
back
Contemplating becoming a Catholic or Coming home
Homosexual and Gender Issues
Life, Dating, and Family
No Salvation Outside the Church
Sacred Scripture
non-Catholic Cults
Justification and Salvation
The Pope and Papacy
The Sacraments
Relationships and Marriage situations
Specific people, organizations and events
Doctrine and Teachings
Specific Practices
Church Internals
Church History


ForgivenButStillConcerned wrote:

Hi, guys —

In February 2010, I was compelled by the feeling that I had no importance in life and no purpose for living. I thus was convinced that there was no other way to take away the pain besides suicide. I was in a crazy state of mind and could not think clearly, therefore, that very night I attempted to end my life.

Thankfully, God granted me the wisdom to confess my actions to my mother before it was too late. That week, I went to church and confessed to the priest of my community about my suicide attempt.

  • He forgave me in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, however, I wonder if my soul is condemned to Hell even though I felt remorse for my actions and confessed my sins?

I know according to the Ten Commandments, the fifth commandment states You shall not kill.
I also understand that it is a mortal sin to kill.

  • Although my suicidal attempt did not succeed, am I condemned to spend my days in Hell for trying to kill myself?

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read my letter.

ForgivenButStillConcerned

  { Although I was remorseful and confessed my sins, am I condemned to Hell for trying to kill myself? }

John replied:

Dear ForgivenButStillConcerned —

Thank you for your question.

God's mercy is endless. The only sin God can't forgive is the one we refuse to receive forgiveness for. He died on a cross so that all men might have eternal life. That includes you. You confessed your sin, you were absolved, you were forgiven and remain forgiven. Stop beating yourself up.

8 We are saved by Grace through faith, not of works lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us and cleanse from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9

These are promises of God to all of us. We must accept them by faith. Certainly God is not about to lie to us so hold your head up. You are forgiven. It sounds like you should seek out some help.

Getting a spiritual director would probably be advisable.

John

Mary Ann replied:

Dear ForgivenButStillConcerned —

You are forgiven, if there was even anything to forgive. (You were not acting freely in a sane state of mind.)

I think your present concern is another symptom of your depression or anxiety.

Trust God, and see a counselor and a doctor.

Mary Ann

Mike replied:

Dear ForgivenButStillConcerned —

I'm glad you wrote to us today!

As Catholic Christians, we are, in the words of the Catechism, in a spiritual war, where the enemy, unlike other enemies, is unseen. I'm talking about those demonic bastards that plant thoughts in our minds like:

Our life is not worth living, especially during the painful periods of our lives.

This is a bold-faced lie! Each individual person reading this posting, including yourself, was created for a specific purpose in life. Any person who is not on medications for depression or for similar illnesses, has to remember that thoughts of despair do not come from God, but from that bastard, the devil.

The best way to handle the devil, whether you are on certain medications or not, is be living a sacramental life and receiving the sacraments in a state of grace. Praying the Rosary is also key to beating the crap of satan.

Know that you have friends on the AskACatholic.com team who will be praying for you, and those in similar situations, on a regular basis.

Hope this helps,

Mike

Please report any and all typos or grammatical errors.
Suggestions for this web page and the web site can be sent to Mike Humphrey
© 2012 Panoramic Sites
The Early Church Fathers Church Fathers on the Primacy of Peter. The Early Church Fathers on the Catholic Church and the term Catholic. The Early Church Fathers on the importance of the Roman Catholic Church centered in Rome.