This essay has discussed some of the most difficult subjects in all of faith and life. We have considered the tragedy of suicide in historical, biblical, theological, and practical perspective. Let's conclude with a promise which applies to you and every person you know, and most especially to those affected by this tragic issue:

Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior (Isaiah 43:1-3).

No matter how deep the water or hot the fire, he is still our Father. This is the promise of God..

Sources consulted:

Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition English translation.

www.cdc.gov/ncipc

(National Center for Injury Prevention and Control).

J. T. Clemons, "Suicide," International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, ed. Geoffrey W. Bromiley (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988) 4:652-3.

A. J. Droge, "Suicide," The Anchor Bible Dictionary, ed. David Noel Freedman (New York: Doubleday, 1992) 6:225-31.

Milton A. Gonsalves, Fagothey's Right and Reason: Ethics in Theory and Practice, 9th ed. (Columbus: Merrill Publishing Company, 1989) 246-8.

www.save.org

(Suicide Awareness Voices of Education).

www.suicidology.org

(American Association of Suicidology).