EDITORIAL

Love is one of the greatest gifts God has placed in the human heart. It inspires sacrifice, patience, forgiveness, and self-giving. Yet, when misunderstood or distorted, love can also become a source of deep pain and dangerous choices. Recent public attention surrounding a young social media influencer's reported attempt to take his own life following the breakup with his girlfriend has once again forced society to confront a troubling question: what do we do for love, and at what cost?

The Church teaches that authentic love is life-giving. “I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Any form of love that destroys dignity, mental health, or life itself cannot be of God. While heartbreak is real and emotional pain can feel unbearable, no relationship—no matter how intense—should ever drive a person to harm him/herself or surrender his/her God-given worth.

The tragedy in the young man’s situation, like many similar stories, is not simply about a breakup. It is about emotional dependence, misplaced identity, and a failure—both personal and communal—to recognize the warning signs of a toxic bond. Too often, society romanticizes obsessive attachment, confusing control with commitment and suffering with loyalty. Young people, in particular, are fed with the dangerous lie that love must hurt to be real.

A toxic relationship is one in which one or both partners lose their sense of self. It may involve manipulation, emotional blackmail, isolation from family and friends, constant fear of abandonment, or threats of self-harm used to keep the other person bound. When someone feels that life is meaningless without a particular partner, love has crossed into idolatry—placing a human being where only God belongs.

Catholic teaching reminds us that our identity is rooted first in being children of God, not in being chosen or validated by another person. St. Augustine famously wrote, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in You, O Lord.” When we expect another human being to fill the emptiness that only God can fill, disappointment and despair are inevitable.

There are clear boundaries that must never be crossed under the guise of love. Love does not demand self-destruction. Love does not justify emotional abuse, threats, or coercion. Love does not isolate you from your faith, your family, or your values. Love does not silence your voice or diminish your worth. And most importantly, love never asks you to risk your life—physically, emotionally, or spiritually—to prove your devotion.

What, then, is the practical path forward, especially for those navigating romantic relationships in a culture that glorifies extremes?

First, recognize the warning signs early. If your happiness depends entirely on one person, if you live in constant fear of losing him/her, or if you feel worthless without his/her attention, it is time to pause and seek help. These are not signs of deep love; they are signs of emotional imbalance.

Second, maintain healthy support systems. A relationship should complement your life, not replace it. Friends, family, mentors, and faith communities provide perspective and stability. Isolation is fertile ground for toxic attachment.

Third, communicate honestly but set firm boundaries. Love allows room for disagreement, growth, and even separation when necessary. A breakup, painful as it is, is not a failure of life itself. It is an ending, not a verdict on your worth.

Fourth, seek spiritual and professional help when emotions feel overwhelming. There is no shame in talking to a priest, counselor, or trusted elder. Mental and emotional health are part of the dignity of the human person, which the Church strongly upholds.

Finally, we must speak clearly as a society and as a Church: suicide is not an expression of love. It is a tragedy that leaves lasting wounds on families, communities, and the Body of Christ. When someone reaches such a point of despair, the response must be compassion, not condemnation—but also firm rejection of the idea that death is a solution to heartbreak.

To anyone struggling with the pain of rejection or loss: your life is infinitely more valuable than any relationship. God’s love for you is constant, faithful, and unbreakable—even when human love fails.

What we do for love matters. Let it be something that leads to life, healing, and holiness—not destruction.