Questions / Living the faith

Do people who die by suicide go to hell?

Church teaching

Answered on video by Catholic Answers

Video: Are people who commit suicide condemned to hell?, Catholic Answers Live, published Sep 26, 2014. Checked 10 October 2026. Loads from YouTube (privacy-enhanced mode) only when you press play. Watch on YouTube

In short: Don’t despair for them. In ways only He knows, God can give the chance to repent. CCC 2282 CCC 2283

The answer, in writing

Church teaching

Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or fear of hardship or suffering can diminish the responsibility of the one who takes his own life. CCC 2282

“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.” CCC 2283

The Church prays for them. CCC 2283

Our words

If you’ve lost someone this way, you’re not alone, and you can pray for them with hope. If you’re struggling yourself, please reach out right now: call or text 988.

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Sources on this page

How we know · 2 Catechism paragraphs
  1. Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 2282, 2283 (official text on vatican.va).

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