Collins, Michael
(2001)
The Catholic Tradition and its Treatment of
Suicide.
Other thesis, Pontifical University, St Patrick's College, Maynooth.
Abstract
We have seen in recent years how suicide has become a more pressing reality as a social
phenomenon. With this has come a vast amount of data and information as regards its
cause, and the means by which its prevention might be sought. The following are an
example of such:
• Male suicide rates are four times higher than female rates.
• Suicide rates increase with age and are highest among males over twenty-five.
• Suicide attempt rates are three times higher for females than for males.
• An estimated five million living Americans have tried to kill themselves.
• 30,000 people kill themselves every year in the United States.
• The risk o f death from suicide is greater than if there were a fully loaded jumbo
jet air disaster every four days.
The list of statistics and details be they, sociological or psychological are endless. This
abundance of information has brought about the development of a complex web o f
distinctions and clarifications in the language of psychology and sociology, which have
in part made their way into popular perceptions. A similar type of development has
occurred within the Church due in part from the insights gained from these sciences but
the difference being that this new vocabulary of subtle clarifications within the science of
theology has not found root within the faithful. The church is still seen to operate with the
blunt instruments of right and wrong. In short the church teaching on the subject of
suicide is perceived, as “ Suicide is a mortal sin.” This is not seen as a summary but the whole story. This idea hides, the more fruitful and hope filled insights which the Church
now holds in regard to suicide.
| Item Type: |
Thesis
(Other)
|
| Keywords: |
Catholic Tradition;
Suicide; |
| Academic Unit: |
St Patrick's College, Maynooth > Faculty of Theology |
| Item ID: |
5140 |
| Depositing User: |
IR eTheses
|
| Date Deposited: |
10 Jul 2014 12:44 |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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