The Oriental Syro-Malabar Church (SMC) would continue to deny Church burial to suicide victims to express its opposition to the sinful act of ending own life, an official said.

The SMC synod decided in 2003 that in cases of “scandalous suicides” the body would not be allowed inside the parish church.

A media discussion was sparked off recently after the Church started incorporating the synod decisions in its rulebook signaling the parishes to implement the decision.

But some people such as activist Joseph Pulikunnel question the move. “Who are the priests to decide what is scandalous and what is not?” he asked in a report in the Times of India.

“How can a man judge? The crucifixion of Christ was a decision of the then high priest. Was it right?” he asked saying priests sitting in judgment amounts to reducing God’s judgment to human judgment.

However, SMC spokesperson Father Paul Thelakat explained that not all cases of suicide are “scandalous,” especially those committed out of mental illness or sudden upsurge of depression.

In such cases the person will be given a simple burial. The parish priest in consultation with the parishioners will take the decision, Father Thelakat explained.

The Church law, however, gives priests freedom to bless the graves in all cases of suicides. The Church spokesperson said the rules on suicide aim to impress the Church’s opposition to people taking their lives, a sin according to Christian teaching.

The new rule also marks some improvement over the past practices. Earlier bodies of suicide victims and those excommunicated were buried in a designated space within the cemetery called ‘themmadikuzhy’ or the burial area for the fallen.

But the synod decided to end that practice. Now suicide victims can be buried in the common cemetery. The only difference will be in the rites administered, Father Thelakat said.

The denial of burial rights by the Church had in the past led to legal complications for the clergy with some Catholics challenging it before courts.

Source:  Suicide victims will not get Church burial (Cathnews India)

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