What are the consequences of suicide according to the Roman Catholic church? Are there exceptions or special penalties?

  • Seems like a very broad question. What part of their belief are you asking? Is it a sin? Does it keep you from heaven ( christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/1187/… )?
    – DTest
    Aug 30 '11 at 23:42
  • 2
    Better? I'm intending to make a better version of the question you linked.
    – djeikyb
    Aug 30 '11 at 23:54
  • Better...but still seems like too many questions. I almost think you could assume they believe it's a sin and just ask about consequences/exceptions in this particular question. and spawn the rest of them into their own questions (though the bit of prominent people that disagree seems non-constructive)
    – DTest
    Aug 30 '11 at 23:58
  • @DTest You're right. Narrowed further.
    – djeikyb
    Aug 31 '11 at 0:04
  • 1
    The consequence of suicide is that you die.
    – Steve
    Feb 28 '16 at 15:02

Since the soul is in a state of mortal sin at the time of death for someone who commits suicide, it would seem that the consequence must necessarily be damnation.

However here is what the catechism says:







  • 3
    Yet, the catechism states that for something to be considered a mortal sin, it has to be freely done by our own will and with full knowledge of its sinfulness. it could be said that one who commits suicide is often not in his/her right state of mind and acting rationally, and therefore isn't culpable for committing suicide. If it is freely chosen murder of oneself in a rational state of mind, that is one thing. But if the person is under psychological duress or disabled, they may not have responsibility for it, and so it may not be considered sinful. Aug 31 '11 at 20:21
  • @sidran32 What you mentioned is exactly stated at the end of the CCC reference. (2282-2283)
    – Andrew
    Dec 13 '12 at 15:22
  • @BenRichards Good comment. I think what you mean in the last sentence is "it may not be considered mortally sinful"; though the act is still sinful whether or not it is committed with full knowledge of its sinfulness (thus making it mortal). Sep 6 '13 at 3:24
  • @JohnPeyton I would say that it couldn't necessarily be a mortal sin. But, as a venial sin, while it still is a sin, it is something that would be covered by purgatory and not prevent you from ultimately entering into God's presence. Sep 6 '13 at 17:25
  • @BenRichards Exactly. Sep 7 '13 at 17:40

A priest would answer that it is not possible to know and that we cannot presume to judge. All things being equal it is more probable that the person would be damned than not, but in the case of suicide all things are never equal. Often things such as mental illness come into play, in which case culpability really comes into question.

Your Answer

