I do not believe it is up to any mere man to rehab or forgive anyone, of course. But many Catholics need the Vatican for guidance - not necessarily a good thing. My interest in the subject however, bypassed Vatican thought. The Judas "situation" affects me in a most personal way.
Especially when over the centuries there have been so many Catholics who have been made to feel guilt over the sin and exclusion from heaven (not to mention being denied burial in hallowed ground) of their loved ones who committed suicide ... without even throwing in the betrayal of Jesus. Are they all going to be rehabbed and re-buried too?
That most personal way being a beloved brother who committed suicide. It was not him. I must believe that. How could God condemn someone who is not themselves in the depths of despair?
Ironically, wasn't Judas be the only apostle who died Jewish .... and not Catholic?
I'm not sure. I've always believed that "religion" was mans invention.
I am very sorry to read about your brother.
Have you ever read this? I shared it with people who are grieving from suicide and most seem to find it helpful. Much more enlightened Catholic thinking than in the dark past.
"Too Bruised to Touch"
http://www.thegiftofkeith.org/info/grieving/how_God_meets.html
The Lord intended that there be a collective body on earth to carry forward His word and provide hands for His works. This is the church, and it was founded on the Apostle Peter, the Rock. Hence my comment about the apostles, except for Judas, being the first Catholics.
That's why I don't see the church as a manmade phenonomenon. Though mankind, as the caretaker of the church, has not done a very good job of building an institution and keeping the collective oriented the way the Lord seemed to intend. Maybe that's where "religion" gets its bad reputation from the disaffected.
Religion means bond with God. He started it.