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Ph0enix
Guest
Would someone with mortal sin go to hell if they died mid confession or could the priest still absolve them?
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twf
Guest
In the very moment of their death, the priest could quickly say the words of absolution and it would be valid - even if the penitent had been cut off before completing his confession. If the words of absolution weren’t said in time, God could have given the penitent the grace to make an act of **perfect **contrition which forgives mortal sins even without absolution (as long as there is an intention to go to confession which there obviously would be in this case).
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Bookcat
Guest
- The person can have perfect contrition and already be in a state of grace.
- The soul may not depart exactly at the alleged moment of death - so I would think the Priest can conditionally absolve them right then (I absolve you from your sins -is a rather quick thing to say…)
- God is not bound by the Sacraments - so God can work in other ways we do not know at that moment (give them the needed grace).
We should never despair of God’s mercy in a case like this. The penitent is already doing his part to seek reconciliation. If, as in if, he dropped dead suddenly, say from an aneurysm that leaves the priest with no time to absolve him while still alive, we have all reason to hope, in light of God’s mercy, the fact that he is not limited to and by his sacraments, and the universal desire for salvation, that God, just by virtue of the penitent’s act of confessing, restored him to sanctifying grace at the very last moment.
You will not find any sources for this opinion, so don’t ask. This is drawn solely out of what we know of God, who desires that no one should perish.
You will not find any sources for this opinion, so don’t ask. This is drawn solely out of what we know of God, who desires that no one should perish.
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Ph0enix
Guest
OK thank you! Thats what I thought but I didn’t want to be wrong(in the event I give others advice on this stuff and to just be educated on this stuff)
Thank you everyone for the responses so far
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truetofaith
Guest
If they are confessing, I’m sure God is merciful enough to forgive them.
Far-fetched scenario…unless the person has a stroke or is picked off by a drive- by assassin.
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Crusaderbear
Guest
I’ve been a catholic a looooong time, not always a good one, sadly, but I’ve NEVER thought of half the questions I see asked here at CAF!
I’ve always been a God is in charge, he knows what to do, he won’t throw me out with the bathwater if I have good intentions! Sorta guy.
I’ve always been a God is in charge, he knows what to do, he won’t throw me out with the bathwater if I have good intentions! Sorta guy.
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tweedlealice
Guest
If the patient has called for the priest and already has been preparing her lists of sins and during these moments I am sure she has asked Jesus to forgive her, I feel it would be like a Baptism of desire. In this case an absolution of desire., There is assumed to be 8 secs before the soul vacates the body. If he talks fast. It’s covered.I strongly feel it is absolved by the HolySpirit, as the pt in good faith was in the process of releasing the sin for his body and God knows all things.
in Christs name
tweeedlealice.
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PennyinCanada
Guest
Let’s say I have mortal sins x, y and z. I would certainly talk to God in prayer while at home, say I am sorry for my sins, ask for graces to remove my attachment to all sin, to come closer to God, and on. The fact that I am making the effort to go to church, to go in the confessional, God knows that if I had 2 minutes more, he would be ready to forgive. He’s not there waiting to throw me into hell. He is the one who gave me the grace to have sorrow for my sin, to make the effort to go to church! It’s his prompting! And I am cooperating with him. God loves you and I so much, if we could comprehend a bit of his love, we would weep with consolation and joy. For days. He is not a lawyer trying to trick me so I go to jail. No. He’s a loving father. The father who, when he sees his son coming, a far off yet, runs to him.
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eazyduzit
Guest
I’d like to give you a heads up, CB. Good intentions won’t get you very far with God. It is your responsibility to be proactive in salvation by placing all your trust in Christ.
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puzzledtoo
Guest
No worries crusaderbear. Maybe your prayer life is strong enough that it keeps you from wondering about all the “what ifs”. I for one believe intention goes a really long way to make progress on the spiritual path. Be well-stay safe-blessings to all.
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Crusaderbear
Guest
Noted & filed…I’d like to give you a heads up, CB. Good intentions won’t get you very far with God. It is your responsibility to be proactive in salvation by placing all your trust in Christ.
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Alex_H
Guest
What about me? I’m in RCIA and cannot go to confession because I am not catholic. Is there any way to receive forgiveness?
Yes. You did not mention, however, if you’re baptized.
If you’re not baptized, if you die before you become Catholic, your contrition and the desire to become Catholic will cause the Baptism of Desire to kick in. You receive, at the moment of death, sanctifying grace, and therefore salvation. Your soul, however, will not receive the baptismal character.
If you are baptized, then your recourse is to make an act of perfect contrition, with the firm resolve to confess as soon as you are able. Perfect contrition is contrition arising out of love of God rather than fear of hell (the latter being imperfect contrition).
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Alex_H
Guest
I was baptized in the Episcopal Church.
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HelenRose
Guest
I sincerely doubt if God deals in “Twist of Fate” mentality or that He plays the game of “gotcha”.
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Crusaderbear
Guest
Agree. Those are very human games.
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Boy_Wonder
Guest
If their intention was to confess the sin and they were sorry for having committed it, then yes I believe God would forgive that person. God is merciful. God loves us. God created us for heaven and will not lay traps to spring a snare on those who wish to follow him but fall, or those who have fallen but with return.
Look at the portion of one of Jesus’s most well-known parables. The Father He ran out to greet him, forgave him, and swept him into his arms. The Father didn’t let his prodigal son finish the confession he’d just begun. THAT is how our God is. Jesus said so himself.
While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’
- Lk 15:20-24
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otjm
Guest
And if everyone is on the proper page, yo will go to confession before the Easter Vigil.I was baptized in the Episcopal Church.
And should you be in danger of death before that, I would suspect that you could go to confession forthwith.
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otjm
Guest
Has anyone here read the story of the Prodigal Son recently? It might be worth another reading…
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