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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Re: Permissible suicide Charles Thursday, February 10, 2005

Question:

Dear Brother

In regard to your reply to Maria on 2-7-05, taking this a little further. How about in a situation where lets say a soldier is sent on a spy mission with orders that he is not to be caught alive and is given either something to take or some weapon that he is to kill himself rather that be caught and valuable information extracted from him. Would this be considered the same thing?

God bless, and as always, you answers are terrific.



Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Charles:

I believe the situation you give is the same as with the man falling on a grenade. The intention is to save the lives of one's comrades, not to kill oneself and if another means could accomplish that goal the soldier would certainly do it.

The reason for the "pill" or other means to cause one's own death for a spy is because the person has information that if revealed under torture could cause the lives of thousands.

To sacrifice oneself to save thousands is an act of heroism.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary


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