The official church position, viewing suicide as sinful, was defined by St. Augustine & later reinforced by Thomas Aquinas. Their position maintains that life belongs to God & only God can terminate it. It is also a transgression of the Fifth Commandment, “Thou shall not kill”. Father Pangrazzi counsels a non-judgmental, compassionate attitude toward both victims and survivors of suicide in this general discussion of self-destructive behavior and bereavement. (NBB)