Citation

Slatinek S. Bogosl. Vestn. 2013; 73(3): 453-461.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Faculty of Theology, University of Ljubljana)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Attempted suicide is a very serious problem in Western Europe. Research shows that Slovenia suffers from a very high suicide level; girls more often than boys inflict damage upon themselves. The main reason for attempted suicide is depression in childhood and adolescence. Among young men even some candidates for sacred orders and religious life mutilate themselves. According to the Code of Canon Law, whoever has attempted suicide is irregular for the reception of orders and carrying out the ministry, and needs dispensation from a competent authority (the Apostolic See, Bishop Ordinary, Apostolic Penitentiary). When a cleric faces the danger of causing a scandal, he can obtain temporary dispensation so that he can continue to carry out his ministry until he receives dispensation from a competent authority. The Church and the civil society are faced with a difficult task of jointly helping those who are in the grave danger of taking their own life.

Language: sk

Keywords

Suicide attempt; Canon law; Code of penal law; Dispensation; Irregularity