While reading “Let’s help Maine’s Death with Dignity Act live up to its name” (April 9), I couldn’t help but mentally review if there are any passages where the Word of God gives us the option to murder ourselves in order to avoid the suffering of the end-of-life stages. Nope, I say the Bible will never allow, explicitly or implicitly, the act of suicide. No matter how many euphemistic ways the proponents of the Death with Dignity Act wordsmith suicide, the act is still self-murder.

Human suffering is a hallmark of the Christian life. The New Testament is full of researchable examples of the value of suffering. Jesus Christ still says, “If you do not take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of me.” Christ suffered dramatically at the end of His divine, yet fully human life. Also, read the Apostle Paul.

The Catholic Church has an unwavering doctrine against all types of innocent murder. Suicide is non-negotiable for serious Catholics. We’re fortunate in this modern world to have a wide array of painkillers for end-of-life issues. No Catholic priest would ever advocate “Death with Dignity” (suicide). Priests are compelled to instruct that suicide will separate us from God forever. The likelihood of an act of perfect contrition, between the initial act of suicide and death, is possible but very remote. This is universal Catholic teaching.

Daniel Pryor
Gorham