"Our collective heart stands broken as a result of Pastor Rick Warren's loss; the passing of his son Matthew. We pray for healing and strength for the Warren and Saddleback family," said one of the most influential evangelical Hispanics in America in a statement Saturday.
"Yet, this tragedy facilitates an opportunity if not an obligation for the Christian community to address mental illness," said Rodriguez on the day Warren, an internationally known Christian leader at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., made the announcement about his son
Mental illness exists in and outside of the church community, said Rodriguez. "Christians struggle with depression and even suicidal thoughts. It does not make you less of a Christian. Just like heart disease or cancer does not dilute our Christianity, neither does mental illness."
However, Rodriguez added, "we must stand committed to 'creating space' and providing ministry to those that struggle with depression, and other mental illnesses." He suggested the church of Jesus Christ should partner with medical professionals to bring attention to "this silent illness with grace, compassion and love."
Suffering from mental illness is not a sin, the Hispanic leader underlined, and added, "Yet, not addressing it, may very well be." Read more
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Rick & Kay Warren grieve son's suicide
Unanswered questions:
ReplyDeleteDid he do this at his own home or his parents'? Who owned the gun? Why, with his mental state did he either have a gun or gain access to a gun? Had he not been under a physician's/psychiatrist's care? Did it not occur to the parents that he needed to be monitored? If he was prone to these bouts why not utilize suicide precautions? Or, was this kept to a low profile because it was the skeleton in Rick Warren's closet, like the Kennedy daughter we never hear about? You can't ask these questions on StandFirm.
Richard,
ReplyDeleteIf you read the numerous articles about Matthew Warren's suicide, you will find the answers to most of your questions. His depression was not a secret. He gave no warning that he was going to kill himself. It apparently was not premeditated. (I had a friend who did the same thing.) He also killed himself in his own home.
The Warrens are devastated by the loss of their son. If anything good can come from it, his death can be used to call Christians to address mental illness in and outside the Christian community.