Catholics whom don't recieve the Sacraments

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What is the Catholic belief on those individuals who do not delete the sacraments, and it’s affect on thier eternal fate?

Is there any difference between these scienrios:
  1. Catholic confirmed teenager doesn’t recieve rest of the sacraments due to sudden death via car accident (lack of opportunity)
  2. Catholic confirmed individual doesn’t recieve rest of the sacraments because they walked away from the church for a life of sin and died many years later (refusal of opportunity)
 
Basically what you are asking is what happens if someone dies in a state of mortal sin.

Here is the answer.

catholic.com/quickquestions/is-it-possible-for-a-person-with-a-mortal-sin-still-on-his-soul-to-die-and-go-to-heav

(these last two paragraphs are important to understand)

"Under normal circumstances, for a mortal sin to be forgiven, it must be confessed in the sacrament of penance. If the penitent has perfect or imperfect contrition for his sin, confesses all his mortal sins since his last good confession, resolving not to commit the sin again, and receives absolution from the priest, his mortal sins are forgiven.

What happens if confession to a priest is impossible, and one is close to death or in danger of dying? Provided a person, finding himself in this situation, has perfect contrition for his mortal sins, and resolves not to sin again and receive sacramental confession as soon as possible, his mortal sin is forgiven. Imperfect sorrow is not contrition under these circumstances. "

Meaning, in your second scenario, if that person is in that circumstance, they too, are forgiven

It is always possible to experience perfect contrition up until the moment of death.
 
Marie5890 said:
Basically what you are asking is what happens if someone dies in a state of mortal sin.
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I’m a little confused on how this is the same question as the one I asked. Well, I could understand it for the 2nd scenario, but what about the 1st? Do Catholics consider failing to live long enough to receive all the sacraments to be a mortal sin?

What if the Catholic teenager who died in the 1st scenario died driving home from Confession, which should make them in a state of grace, shouldn’t it?
 
No, one does not have to have been married, or have become a priest or deacon, or received the anointing of the sick to enter heaven.

It’s a matter of if one has died in mortal sin.

I know I am not going to explain this well, but let me try

Baptism is the only sacrament essential for salvation. That is why in an emergency, if someone is in danger of dying and has never been baptized, anyone with the right intent can baptized that person, even if they are an atheist.

(also understand that there is what is known as the baptism of desire, which too would cover a dying person)

The other sacraments bestow sacramental grace which aid in sanctification.

(To quote another CAF poster, Bro. Rich, SFO)

"By saying that the Sacraments are necessary for Salvation it’s not saying that it is necessary for every person to receive every Sacrament. It’s saying that Christ established the Sacraments for the Salvation of Mankind. Holy Orders is necessary to provide for Bishops and Priests. Bishops are necessary for Conmfirmation and Ordaining Priests. Priests are necessary for the Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick. Marriage is necessary for building up the Kingdom.

Baptism is the only Sacrament necessary for Salvation for every individual able to receive it.

This is why the Church permits ANYONE to Baptize in case of emergency, validly and licitly.
 
jane_doe said:
What is the Catholic belief on those individuals who do not delete the sacraments, and it’s affect on thier eternal fate?

Is there any difference between these scienrios:
  1. Catholic confirmed teenager doesn’t recieve rest of the sacraments due to sudden death via car accident (lack of opportunity)
  2. Catholic confirmed individual doesn’t recieve rest of the sacraments because they walked away from the church for a life of sin and died many years later (refusal of opportunity)
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Probably depends on the sacrament. If you’re talking about confession in particular, I’d imagine the answer is a Catholic could see that having a very big impact on someone’s eternal fate. Seeing as a Catholic who hasn’t confessed a mortal sin will remain separated form God forever.
 
Marie5890 said:
Baptism is the only Sacrament necessary for Salvation for every individual able to receive it.

This is why the Church permits ANYONE to Baptize in case of emergency, validly and licitly.
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So, essentially since baptism is the only Sacrament needed for salvation, it doesn’t matter if a baptized person dies without the rest of them?
 
jane_doe said:
So, essentially since baptism is the only Sacrament needed for salvation, it doesn’t matter if a baptized person dies without the rest of them?
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I don’t think there’s a simple answer to this.

I mean if you’re talking about someone who is baptized Catholic as a child and then grows up and never receives confession (or receives it and then never goes again) and has mortal sins on their soul I’d imagine they’d have an issue with their salvation.

If they die as a child however before the age of reason however before they’ve confessed then no issue.

Really with regard to the sacraments the key one for salvation after baptism (and the age of reason) becomes Confession/Reconciliation. But again that depends on if the person has mortal sins on their soul.
 
Padres1969 said:
I don’t think there’s a simple answer to this.

I mean if you’re talking about someone who is baptized Catholic as a child and then grows up and never receives confession and has mortal sins on their soul I’d imagine they’d have an issue with their salvation.

If they die as a child however before the age of reason however before they’ve confessed then no issue.

Really with regard to the sacraments the key one for salvation after baptism (and the age of reason) becomes Confession/Reconciliation. But again that depends on if the person has mortal sins on their soul.
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This is… I did not realized I was asking a complicated question 😊
 
jane_doe said:
So, essentially since baptism is the only Sacrament needed for salvation, it doesn’t matter if a baptized person dies without the rest of them?
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Receiving the sacraments of initiation, baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist are what you are talking about. After all, not everyone is going to be ordained or get married. 🙂

Neither confirmation nor reception of the Eucharist is required for salvation if a person has had no opportunity to receive them–nor is their salvation based on receiving them, only on the state of their souls at the time of death.

God doesn’t expect what we cannot do/could not have done due to an untimely death. Priests will confirm and offer first communion to those in danger of death, if that’s possible.

For those over the age of reason confession is important. However, only deadly (mortal) sins are required to be confessed to a priest for absolution. Does that help? 🙂
 
jane_doe said:
Is there any difference between these scienrios:
  1. Catholic confirmed teenager doesn’t recieve rest of the sacraments due to sudden death via car accident (lack of opportunity)
  2. Catholic confirmed individual doesn’t recieve rest of the sacraments because they walked away from the church for a life of sin and died many years later (refusal of opportunity)
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What do you mean by “the rest of the sacraments”? In both cases you’ve said the person has received the sacraments of initiation. Are you asking what happens if they never return to confession or communion?
 
One of the great things about the Catholic Church, is It wants you to use your reason.

If the Sacraments are a gift from God. (Which is what they are considered)

(KEY) ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Not receiving a gift would not seem to automatically conclude with eternal separation from God.

In other words, we can’t confirm eternal life certainty in any direction, based on sacrament participation*** (or lack thereof).

That would cover both of the OP cases.

***my focus here is on Eucharist and Confession, not Baptism because the example in the OP says ‘Catholic confirmed’.
Code: 
Though now we can play a little - 

If you are a practicing Catholic, assumed from the first example, and you are following the precepts of the Church (Of which includes participation in the sacraments as defined in the precepts). Then, upon that death, we return to the (KEY) above and pray for the person.

One thing to note for those that don't know  - attending Mass and receiving the Eucharist are not the same. It is a precept to attend Mass on all Sunday's and Holy Days of obligation. It is not a precept to receive the Eucharist on each one of those same days. The precept for Eucharist reception is - at least during the Easter season. (below is a source link for precepts)

If you are not a practicing Catholic, understanding potential certainty of eternity would require full knowledge that not participating in the Sacraments (per the precepts) is grave sin.

I would guess that most people who fall away, don't know the effect or gravity, especially with full knowledge. So that brings us back to the (KEY) in this scenario as well.

Precepts of the Church: [vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P75.HTM](http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P75.HTM)

Take care,

Mike
 
SuscipeMeDomine said:
What do you mean by “the rest of the sacraments”? In both cases you’ve said the person has received the sacraments of initiation. Are you asking what happens if they never return to confession or communion?
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At the time I was unaware that Catholics group certain sacraments such as “essential vs nonessential” and “initiatory vs other”. I could have well said any other example, including non-confirmed children. This thread has been educational.
 
jane_doe said:
What is the Catholic belief on those individuals who do not [receive] the sacraments, and it’s [effect] on [their] eternal fate?

Is there any difference between these [scenarios]:
  1. Catholic confirmed teenager doesn’t receive rest of the sacraments due to sudden death via car accident (lack of opportunity)
Click to expand...
There are seven Sacraments. Baptism, Confirmation, Penance(Confession), Anointing of the Sick, Eucharist(Holy Communion), Holy Matrimony, Holy Orders.

Only Baptism is ordinarily considered necessary for salvation. (‘Baptism by desire’ has always been held as possible/sufficient for those who had no opportunity for water baptism.) Catholic children normally receive Baptism, Confirmation, first Confession, and first Holy Communion as children. Those who convert as adults will receive those four as part of their conversion process.

Nobody is required to receive all seven sacraments. Indeed, very few Catholics do. Only a few receive Holy Orders as Deacon, Priest/presbyter, Bishop.
 
Padres1969 said:
Don’t think anyone was implying they were just rituals. :confused:
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I trying to point out how they are different from Mormon ordinances. From what I remember, LDS ordinance are not believed to bestow grace, but are more rituals one goes thru.

I could be wrong in than and I am sure Jane can put forth the right information if I am mistaken
 
Just want to clarify something here.

All folks would probably agree that - if there is a God and he gives gifts to us, they should be sought with a passion.

So, like life itself, if the Sacraments are a gift from God, we should have drive to receive them more than the minimum (precept instruction).

Then we have to consider observed practice -

Typically, people receive the Eucharist too much, because they don’t want to be the person sitting in the pew when everyone else gets up for communion. This is a sin, if they are in a state of mortal sin. The strong person wanting to get out of a state of serious sin, gets on their knees as everyone stands to leave the pew.

Typically, people do not receive the gift of absolution through confession enough. People have this wall in their head about confession, they know it’s good, but they just are bothered.

The ‘consider the priest’s angle’ is a good one to help break the block.

Priests are not taking notes and learning things.

You talking might give them something to say in an advisory role, but it’s based solely on what is heard in 30 seconds and not bounced off anything further than what they hear at that moment. (not considering regular meetings with a confessor, outside of general confession times for the parish).

I can’t remember what I ate last night for dinner, but people think a priest is going to remember their sins and look at them funny, which are heard in a matter of seconds with a line of people behind them.

Priests are well aware that their job is not memorizing. It’s not logical.

The best mind in the world would not be able to say what person 3 said after person 6.

1 confession puts you back in communion.

Be not afraid!

Take care,

Mike
 
jane_doe said:
What is the Catholic belief on those individuals who do not delete the sacraments, and it’s affect on thier eternal fate?

Is there any difference between these scienrios:
  1. Catholic confirmed teenager doesn’t recieve rest of the sacraments due to sudden death via car accident (lack of opportunity)
  2. Catholic confirmed individual doesn’t recieve rest of the sacraments because they walked away from the church for a life of sin and died many years later (refusal of opportunity)
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  1. Confirmation is not required for salvation. If the teen were in a state of mortal sin and was going to confess at their first confession, it is Catholic teaching that the desire to confess is the same as confessing, in this circumstance.
  2. A person is fully initiated into the life of the Holy Trinity by baptism, confirmation and Eucharist. It would be very odd, though not impossible, for a person to be confirmed but not receive first communion. Usually the two are received at the same Mass. But anyway, baptized children who have reached the age of reason and adult converts from a Christian religion, go to their first confession before being confirmed. Adults who convert from non-Christian or no religions receive the sacraments of initiation at the same Mass, and make their first confession sometime later when needed. All that to say this scenario is not likely!
But if we go with the odd duck who is confirmed but has not received their first communion. The answer has been provided. It is mortal sin that has not been confessed that puts a person in jeopardy.
 
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