I wasn’t sure where to put this, but I really need an answer. I found out this afternoon that my uncle had been killed in a drunk driving accident the other night. He was an alcoholic and an addict, but just a few days before the accident, he told my mom that he was trying to turn his life around, and stay sober. It may not seem like a lot, but for him, going those few days without alcohol was a big accomplishment for him. He also called my mom just a few hours before the accident telling her how guilty he felt that he had been drinking that night. He was raised Catholic, I know that he had not been to church in a long time, because he said they made him really uncomfortable, but I do know that he believed in God. He a good man, and he was really trying, and had a lot of life left to live. I know that only God has the final decission, and only He knows for sure where my uncle will go, but does anyone know if a person could get into Heaven, even with mortal sin? This is something I’ve always wondered about, but I’ve never asked about.
Thank you so much, and please pray for my family, and the repose of his soul,
Mary
Laudatur Iesus Christus.
Pray and trust in God. No one goes to hell unjustly.
To answer your question about mortal sin directly: One cannot go to heaven if he dies in mortal sin.
1035 The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, “eternal fire.” The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs. (Catechism of the Catholic Church (1997).)
Hope for your uncle requires that he was free of mortal sin at the moment of his death. This is possible, even if it seems unlikely on the face of the matter. One possibility is that your Uncle had a moment of perfect contrition, where he regretted his sins primarily because of his love for God. Such perfect contrition would relieve him of mortal sin, if he intended to obtain sacramental confession, but was prevented by the accident.
1452 When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called “perfect” (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible. (Ibid.)
Another possibility is the assistance of a passing priest: often a priest passing a traffic accident will pray for those involved and even offer conditional absolution to those who are properly disposed. This can be done, even though the priest does not stop or leave his car, due to the traffic conditions. If this was done, you might not know about it until you reach heaven; however, if such absolution were offered before he died, even imperfect contrition would have been sufficient to relieve your uncle of the burden of mortal sin.
1453 The contrition called “imperfect” (or “attrition”) is also a gift of God, a prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is born of the consideration of sin’s ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the sinner (contrition of fear). Such a stirring of conscience can initiate an interior process which, under the prompting of grace, will be brought to completion by sacramental absolution. By itself however, imperfect contrition cannot obtain the forgiveness of grave sins, but it disposes one to obtain forgiveness in the sacrament of Penance. (Ibid.)
You should never presume that your Uncle was not saved. If you did assume this and therefore failed to pray for him, you might leave him unattended and in great need of prayers in Purgatory. Pray for him; it would be presumptuous to assume that he does not need your prayers and any indulgences you may gain for him, either because you assume he is in heaven or in hell.
Finally, trust God. Whatever your uncle’s state, it is right and just; it will serve the love and glory of God.
Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. Amen.
John Hiner
