The Homily of Fr. John Meredith...on the suicide of David Jarboe, Jr.

Listening to this homily makes me very sad. There are a couple of things that are seriously wrong with this....

1. He completely misunderstands the idea that he young man committed suicide. The young man did something that separated himself from from the Church by breaking the fifth commandment. The Catechism teaches this about anyone who commits suicide:

CCC #2280

Everyone is responsible for his life before God who has given it to him. It is God who remains the sovereign Master of life. We are obliged to accept life gratefully and preserve it for his honor and the salvation of our souls. We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of.

CCC #2281

Suicide contradicts the natural inclination of the human being to preserve and perpetuate his life. It is gravely contrary to the just love of self. It likewise offends love of neighbor because it unjustly breaks the ties of solidarity with family, nation, and other human societies to which we continue to have obligations. Suicide is contrary to love for the living God.

CCC #2282

If suicide is committed with the intention of setting an example, especially to the young, it also takes on the gravity of scandal. Voluntary co-operation in suicide is contrary to the moral law.

Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide.

CCC #2283

We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives.

2. @ 1:12 and following Father says that David lives....he is wrong. His view is contrary to Catholic teaching. David does not live. He has separated himself from mercy of God. The vision that he has of David cannnot happen according to the teaching of the Church. And it is this that saddens me. Father goes on to say @ 3:45 and following that the site of a suicide has become a "sacred spot" which has been "sanctified." And the action is being praised....SUICIDE!!!!!!  If as Father Meredith says, and it is a holy spot, then he was setting an example, and that is contrary to  CCC #2282 specifically.

This is the perversion of the teaching of the Church. This is the issue that we have. The Church does not teach what he is promoting. It is directly contrary. DIRECTLY!!!!!

You're now probably asking why the rant...David went to St. Thomas, my alma mater. David spoke ill of a priest that I know, Fr. Bill Baer. David did not accuse Fr. Baer of anything, but he called him an evil man. David is wrong. I've known Fr. Baer since 1998. He is not evil. He is not a bad priest. Whatever David's issues were, he was wrong about Fr. Baer. I can attest to this first hand.

3. What we do know:

1. David committed suicide
2. David is being justified for his action
3. David is not being held accountable for his actions and he needs to be
4. The site of David's death cannot be considered a holy place
5. The site cannnot be considered a shrine (what is it a shrine to, his suicide?)

Please pray that he made a perfect act of contrition as the bullet entered his body. That is the only way he will be saved. As the Church teaches, we must pray for the person....so we will pray...

Understand this...Father, in the video is teaching something directly contradictory to the teaching of the Church. He is holding an opinion and teaching an opinion which cannot be held. Please pray for Father too....