Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
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Suicide/killing or not? | Genny | Monday, September 19, 2011 |
Question: St.Appolonia jumped into the flames rather than give up her faith. Mothers in Europe had killed their own daughters rather than leave them to the mercy of the Muslims of the Ottoman Turks that were invading Europe. Are these acts considered as suicide and murder respectively? What are your thoughts if people in our day and age resort to the same acts faced with similar situations? God bless you for your time and patience. |
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Question Answered by
Dear Genny: St. Apollonia (d. c.249 at Alexandria, Egypt), consecrated virgin, was given the choice to either renounce Christ or be put the fire. She leapt into the fire herself. This act showed her persecutors her great faith. She was a martyr. Her memorial feast is on February 9th. (See article in Catholic Enycopedia.) As far as mothers in Europe killing their own daughters rather than have them captured by the Muslims is something I certainly understand given what the Muslims would've done to those girls, but I see no way that this can be a moral act. It would seem to me that no matter how understandable this act would be, it is an act in which those mothers are not trusting in the Lord. To kill oneself or to kill others in anticipation of capture is not a moral act. If one is captured and are persecutors demand that we renounce Christ or be put to death and we choose death that is an act of martyrdom. The two situations have no relationship with each other. God Bless, For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.
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