His Excellency the Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki has issued the following statement concerning the funeral of Springfield Mayor Timothy Davlin, who committed suicide:
May he rest in peace.The Church teaches that suicide is contrary to love for the living God. We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of.
However, the church also teaches that we should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. We can only commend them to God. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for repentance and salvation.
We continue to offer our prayers for the soul of Mayor Timothy Davlin and for his family and friends in this time of sorrow.
I live in Springfield and although I did not know Mayor Davlin personally, his love for the city and its people was obvious, and he will be greatly missed.
ReplyDeleteThis tragedy should also serve as a reminder to us to ALWAYS pray for our public officials, whether or not we voted for them or agree with their actions. Elected public officials at all levels carry very great burdens and face great temptations as well. In every public office there is someone's son or daughter, father or mother, friend or neighbor, and of course, a child of God.