Farmer Suicide in India – A Christian Response in the Light of a Compassionate Ethics

Statistics show that there were 321,407 farmer suicides in India between 1995 and 2015. At the local level, cognizant of the gravity of the issue, Church organizations seek to support farmers in their struggles by rendering suicide prevention assistance. Still, a comprehensive theological response is needed. Gigesh Thomas develops a normative and pastoral framework to the Church’s activities for suicide prevention and postvention on which professional care could be built on. His reflection is formed by the notions of compassion and empathy and their usefulness for withstanding shame that often leads to suicide.