Being in a state of Mortal sin at the wrong time.

[OneFaith]

Say you are a faithful and devoted Catholic and you go to confession & receive the Eucharist regularly, but because we are all sinners (1 John 1:8-9) we happen to die in a state of Mortal sin before we have the chance to go to confession, does this mean we don't make it to heaven? or is this where Purgatory comes in to play?

[DavidObeid]

Purgatory is not a "second chance".

If we die in a state of mortal sin (ie we have not made a Sacramental Confession or if we could not avail ourselves of the Sacrament then an act of perfect contrition) then we are damned.

Don't look at this as somehow being unfair. On the contrary, for someone who has spent a life in virtue to commit a mortal sin after years of God's graces and mercy is more malicious than the man who is far from God to commit the same sin. This about it like this, you'd offend your mother more by disrespecting her than I would, because you've spent your life in a close relationship with her, whereas I hardly know her.

Does that help?

[MelanieM]

What happens if that person committed a mortal sin then died straight after without having a chance to get to Confession?

[DavidObeid]

In the absence if Sacramental confession or an act of perfect contrition then the person is damned. That's why the Bible is so full of warnings to avoid sin and to always be ready.

[Matthew]

What happens if that person committed a mortal sin then died straight after without having a chance to get to Confession?

It is not as though they had 'no chance' in such a scenario. In fact they had a chance when it came time to give in or not give in to commit the sin.

[DavidObeid]

And keep in mind St. Paul's teaching here:


No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

[OneFaith]

Yes, it makes sense. There are alot of verses in the bible warning us, but I can't help but think what if we were good our whole lives and did one mortal sin just before we died....do we really go to hell? Well yeh, it's black and white in the bible but I honestly think it's more about your intention for repentance. If I went to confession on Sunday and committed a mortal sin on Thursday and was feeling really sorry and was in need of forgivness and was really looking forward to going to confession on Sunday again to start afresh but I died on Saturday...don't you think God knows your intentions? I'm really reflecting on this at the moment.

[Matthew]

If by "really sorry" you mean making an act of perfect contrition - being sorry because your sins have offended God and you intend to go to confession then of course you would be given forgiveness.

I assumed you meant a scenario where the person had committed mortal sin and was still unrepentant.

[Charbel Labban]

So an imperfect contrition (fear of going to hell) does not suffice?

[DavidObeid]

No. In cases of imperfect contrition (known as attrition) Sacramental Confession is essential.

[MaronKnight]

I agree with what has been said. What puzzles me is that the Church states that it holds out hope for those outside the Church that they too may be saved. ie. They are ignorant of the truth.

So my question is that why is it black and white that a catholic will be damned if in the state of mortal sin, yet a non-catholic who is in a state of mortal sin may still get to heaven because he did not know any better. Does this rule apply to Catholics who did not know any better, and believe that the sins they are committing are a normal part of life?

[DavidObeid]

Hi Anthony,

Anyone who dies without grace goes to hell, Catholic or otherwise.

For a sin to be mortal one must do something serious, have full knowledge and full consent. It's the same rule for anyone.

[MaronKnight]

Hi Anthony,

Anyone who dies without grace goes to hell, Catholic or otherwise.

For a sin to be mortal one must do something serious, have full knowledge and full consent. It's the same rule for anyone.

Thanks David,

Im not one to question church authority and more importantly i pray that everyone gets into heaven. The church however is clear on the rules, but when is ignorance taken too far? I mean can a homo***ual who's church says it is fine for him to do what he does, who's interpretation of the bible is seriously flawed, who does not agree with the church's teaching whatsoever still be saved.

It seems wrong interpretation of scripture has become an excuse today. The majority of the world knows what the catholic church teaches, and still chooses to reject it for the sake of pride, loss of family etc.

My point is the same people that reject the catholic churches teaching are going to be the same people who do not believe in mortal sin, the sacrament of confession, are already saved, and therefore their ignorance may still provide salvation.

God Bless

[danieljankovic]

It will not suffice in that scenario unless you died on the way to confession. I would think that a perfect contrition is rare in people. it would be a state of complete repentance and sorrow to the point of almost despair.

[DavidObeid]

Hi Anthony,

I'm not sure you understand the whole ignorance thing. In St. Paul's Letter to the Romans he points out that those who do the wrong thing (the case in Romans 1 was denying God's nature/existence, but the principle applies broadly) are "not without excuse" because, as he explains in chapter 2, God has written the natural law in their hearts.

Everyone who commits their first mortal sin really commits a mortal sin. The fact that the habit of sins deadens their conscience over time does not mean that their darkened state become a get out of gaol free card. Without perfect contrition or sacramental confession (for post Baptismal mortal sins) everyone (Catholic or otherwise) goes to hell.

[MaronKnight]

Hi Anthony,

I'm not sure you understand the whole ignorance thing. In St. Paul's Letter to the Romans he points out that those who do the wrong thing (the case in Romans 1 was denying God's nature/existence, but the principle applies broadly) are "not without excuse" because, as he explains in chapter 2, God has written the natural law in their hearts.

Everyone who commits their first mortal sin really commits a mortal sin. The fact that the habit of sins deadens their conscience over time does not mean that their darkened state become a get out of gaol free card. Without perfect contrition or sacramental confession (for post Baptismal mortal sins) everyone (Catholic or otherwise) goes to hell.

Thanks David

I totally understand i am putting to you an argument that i was presented with, where i couldnt completely explain the answer.

A priests answer to this was we as catholics know what is required to get to heaven. If God decided to allow other non catholics to enter via other means then that is Gods will.

Its just not as simple as saying the church says so sometimes especially when dealing with people who dont exactly take the church as authority.

God Bless

[DavidObeid]

The argument isn't a case of appealing to "the Church says so" though. St. Paul's indictment isn't because the pagans rejected what a prophet or Apostle had told them, but because their sins made them blind to the natural law, to which they would be held accountable.

The mission of Christ (which He entrusted to the Catholic Church) is to give people the means to obtain forgiveness for sins. That is why, one way or another, there are only Catholics in heaven.

Before going into a flame war, check out this video from Michael Voris that explains this:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dcfj0PU_JQ

[Matthew]

It is important to add that their ignorance does not provide salvation. There is no salvation by ignorance. Salvation comes from co-operating with diving grace and that is true for everyone.