|
Scott,
I'm sorry for your, and the world's,
loss. My condolences on this tragedy.
The truth is we don't know how much
of a lost cause your
friend's salvation is, so please
do continue to pray for him.
It used to be assumed in many quarters
that suicide victims were a hopeless
cause, but it is not necessarily
so. If that were the case, the Church
would not hold funeral Masses for
them.
Only God knows if he was in his right
mind when he made his decision and
if he had total freedom in doing
it. Both elements are necessary to
be guilty of mortal sin and both
are legitimately questionable in
someone who would do such a terrible
and final act. It is our hope that
untainted knowledge and freedom were
not present.
Even if mental illness did not reduce
his culpability, there are always
those x number
of seconds that a person lives after
the fatal wound, where one can still
possibly, sincerely repent.
Only God
knows the answers to these questions,
and hence, it is honorable to hope
for the best and to act as if your
prayers can help him.
No prayer is ever wasted with God.
Peace,
Paul
|
