life and death, is a great crime, which is in direct opposition to all order established by God and man; therefore all those who are accessory to it, even all voluntary witnesses, incur excommunication.
6. Does the Fifth Commandment forbid only the actual crime of taking away the life of our neighbor?
It also forbids everything that leads and induces to the crime; as anger, hatred, envy, quarrelling, abusive words, and imprecations.
'Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer' (1 John iii. 15). 'But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment' (Matt. v. 22).
7. When do we injure ourselves as to the life of our body?
1. When we take away our life; and 2. When we impair our health, or shorten our life, by intemperance in eating and drinking, by violent anger, by immoderate grief, etc.
8. What sin does he commit who deliberately makes away with himself?
He commits three horrible crimes: 1. A crime against the Divine Majesty, who alone has power over life and death; 2, A crime against his own soul, which he mercilessly plunges into eternal hell-fire; and 3. A crime against human society, and especially against his relations, on whom he brings inexpressible grief and disgrace.
9. How does the Church, therefore, punish suicide, or self-murder?
She refuses Christian burial to the self-murderer, for his own punishment, as well as to deter others from doing the same.
10. Are we never allowed to expose our life or our health to danger?
Never without necessity; but, when a higher duty requires it we may (Matt. x. 28).
