The Attitudes of Representatives of the Catholic Church's Contemporary Clergy Towards the Phenomenon of Suicide in Poland

The influence of Christianity on attitudes towards suicide over the centuries has been fundamental. Nowadays, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the responsibility for the sin of suicide may be mitigated if a mental disorder or illness is documented in the person who has taken his or her own life.

This research is the result of a comparative study analysing the attitudes of clergy in urban and rural areas of Poland towards the phenomenon of suicide. The following research questions have thus arisen: What is the attitude of Catholic clergy towards suicide, particularly youth suicide? Is it coherent with Church doctrine, and how is it interpreted by the clergy? What role does the contemporary Catholic Church play in suicide prevention?

Additionally, we will consider the following: What role does religion play in suicide prevention? What role does the Catholic Church have in shaping the image of a person in suicidal crisis in both urban and rural areas? How does the Catholic Church support individuals and families affected by suicide attempts, and is it adequately prepared to do so?

An individual perspective from clergy members can reveal their awareness of the problem, preparedness to intervene and provide support, and the interesting interrelationship between scientific knowledge, personal beliefs, and adherence to Church policy. The phenomenon of suicide is no longer a taboo subject, and in many communities, the important role of prevention is openly discussed. Christianity in Poland, as the dominant religion, undoubtedly has a strong influence on shaping the opinions of a large part of society. In the future, this research may serve as a foundation for extending the study to explore the approaches of other religions to the phenomenon of suicide, as well as for examining the issue in other countries.