Forgiveness for non-Catholics

[Michael_N_1]

Hi there, I’m new here.

My question starts out like this: Suppose a “protestant” commits a mortal sin. Does he go to hell presumably?

Now, there are variations of this. The above is the “standard” question (nevertheless, I have not found the answer to it). But this is not academic to me, it relates to me personally. I have committed mortal sins. I am a 16-year-old. My family is protestant. I want to become Catholic, but I do not have the opportunity to do so yet (unless this is an example of "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me --Mt.10:37).

So basically, I think I understand the Church’s teaching on how reconciliation works normally. I cannot say I have perfect contrition (I have quite a fear of hell). Does my situation mean that as long as I have the desire to confess, be absolved, and do penance, that I am saved? I have asked God for forgiveness. I am trying to repent. What can I do? What state am I in? Or can only God know?

Michael

 

[StevieD]

Hi Michael, (as I understand it as an old but imperfectly educated Catholic) a perfect Act of Contrition is sufficient to obtain forgiveness of mortal sins (though in the case of a Catholic they would also need the intention of confessing before reception of Communion and at the earliest opportunity). Now a perfect Act of Contrition (as I understand it) is a prayer of sincere repentance of past sins, the firm amendment to try not to sin again and a promise to avoid the ‘occasions’ of sin (those situations that might encourage sin). You can also go into a confessional and explain that you are not a Catholic. I am quite sure that any priest would be happy to assist you to examine your conscience and hear you say the Act of Contrition and re-assure you that you are in no danger should you die suddenly. Catholics are advised to make a sincere Act of Contrition at the end of every day for the reasons that concern you (sin happens all the time, the confessionals aren’t open 24 hours a day). I hope that this is helpful. God bless.

 

[Tom]

Hi Michael, welcome to the forum.

Hi there, I’m new here. My question starts out like this: Suppose a “protestant” commits a mortal sin. Does he go to hell presumably?

Not necessarily. Catholic teaching does not say anyone in particular “goes to hell”, we leave that judgment up to the saints in heaven (Matthew 19, 27) and God. We do understand the desire of individuals and trust in the mercy of God.

Now, there are variations of this. The above is the “standard” question (nevertheless, I have not found the answer to it). But this is not academic to me, it relates to me personally. I have committed mortal sins. I am a 16-year-old. My family is protestant.

Again, try not to sin. God understands and has mercy. Trust His mercy, but don’t think you can continue sinning and presume He will have mercy.

I want to become Catholic, but I do not have the opportunity to do so yet (unless this is an example of "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me --Mt.10:37).

Wise choice. Balance Matthew 10 with obedience of your parents. You’re not loving your parents more than God, you’re seeking God. I would definitely talk to them about it.

So basically, I think I understand the Church’s teaching on how reconciliation works normally. I cannot say I have perfect contrition (I have quite a fear of hell). Does my situation mean that as long as I have the desire to confess, be absolved, and do penance, that I am saved? I have asked God for forgiveness. I am trying to repent. What can I do? What state am I in? Or can only God know?
Michael

Actually only God knows even if you were Catholic. No one regardless of what they say, knows they are saved until after their earthly death they are judged! One mistake the “are you saved” group makes is to judge themselves. Scripture tells us we will be judged, not by ourselves. The “OSAS” group makes themselves their own judges, replaces God’s words:
www.drbo.org:

Matthew 19, 27 Then Peter answering, said to him: Behold we have left all things, and have followed thee: what therefore shall we have? 28 And Jesus said to them: Amen, I say to you, that you, who have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the seat of his majesty, you also shall sit on twelve seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Study Catholic teaching, and welcome home.

 

[StevieD]

PS - Something that re-assures me is that Fr Groeschel (EWTN) said recently that he is convinced that most people (not just Catholics or even Christians) are somehow pushed, pulled or dragged into heaven. DON’T WORRY about hell it is not for the likes of a sincere person seeking to do God’s will, he wants you in heaven infinitely more than you do yourself, that’s why He died for us.

 

[Michael_N_1]

Hi Michael, (as I understand it as an old but imperfectly educated Catholic) a perfect Act of Contrition is sufficient to obtain forgiveness of mortal sins (though in the case of a Catholic they would also need the intention of confessing before reception of Communion and at the earliest opportunity). Now a perfect Act of Contrition (as I understand it) is a prayer of sincere repentance of past sins, the firm amendment to try not to sin again and a promise to avoid the ‘occasions’ of sin (those situations that might encourage sin).

PS - Something that re-assures me is that Fr Groeschel (EWTN) said recently that he is convinced that most people (not just Catholics or even Christians) are somehow pushed, pulled or dragged into heaven. DON’T WORRY about hell it is not for the likes of a sincere person seeking to do God’s will, he wants you in heaven infinitely more than you do yourself, that’s why He died for us.

StevieD, it seems like what you are saying is not very orthodox if I am not mistaken. First, and I could be missing something, I thought perfect contrition was sorrow for one’s sins out of a love of God, but that most people in fact do not experience perfect contrition and that is why confession is necessary, because then only imperfect contrition is required.
How can it be that “most people,” even non-Christians, will be “pushed, pulled or dragged” into heaven? Does not Jesus contradict this when he says, “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:14)?

Thank you, it’s great having a community of people I can talk to on subjects like this.

 

[CentralFLJames]

Hi there, I’m new here.

My question starts out like this: Suppose a “protestant” commits a mortal sin. Does he go to hell presumably?

Now, there are variations of this. The above is the “standard” question (nevertheless, I have not found the answer to it). But this is not academic to me, it relates to me personally. I have committed mortal sins. I am a 16-year-old. My family is protestant. I want to become Catholic, but I do not have the opportunity to do so yet (unless this is an example of "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me --Mt.10:37).

So basically, I think I understand the Church’s teaching on how reconciliation works normally. I cannot say I have perfect contrition (I have quite a fear of hell). Does my situation mean that as long as I have the desire to confess, be absolved, and do penance, that I am saved? I have asked God for forgiveness. I am trying to repent. What can I do? What state am I in? Or can only God know?

Michael

Michael, you are doing very well in asking these questions. This is a sign that you are responding to the Holy Spirit’s call to repent and to grow in faith and are doing everything within your powers to develop an informed conscience with a desire to “get right with God”.

It is possible for a non-Catholic to be granted sacramental confession with special permission from a priest. I only personally know of one person (Lutheran) who did this but she assured me that the priest welcomed her and heard her confession. Owing to your age and being a dependent a priest may be uncomfortable being placed in a position where you asking him to go around your parents wishes in faith practice. Ironically, this sort of thing happens every day in the secular world where high school or junior high students seek the advise of school counselors (or psychologists etc.) on personal matters and the secular laws give them privacy protections where parents have no say in this sort of thing (which I am uncomfortable with personally since this is how teens get talked into performing abortions without parental consent or knowledge). But nonetheless YOU are the only one on the planet responsible for YOUR soul and it may be very appropriate to ask to speak to priest on the matter in private and see if he will grant you an audience for sacramental confession.

That said, you can do something right now that should be effecacious. I recommend that all Protestants say the Divine Mercy Chaplet prayers daily since these have specific promises that the sincere heart calling on God’s Mercy will be forgiven of all sins (“even if they be as scarlet”) if he himself shows mercy over his life. One must trust in Jesus’ Mercy. This differs substantially from presuming upon God’s Mercy as many Protestants do when they sin and later feel guilt since it is not asking and assuming one is forgiven it is BEGGING to be forgiven with a sincere desire for contrition and trusting upon Jesus’ Mercy. This is NOT a substitute for sacramental confession however since if Mercy is extended you will not get the same graces a Catholic will get through sacramental confession that help us overcome the tendency (concupescence) to repeat these sins and to advance spiritually toward greater perfection. The Divine Mercy is a last resort for those who have nothing else to turn to and is very effective too when prayed over one who is dieing. For that reason I’d also recommend you say it for anyone in your family who is ill or dieing or for any deceased family or friend since God can hear these prayers in Eternity as if spoken before the person died.

The Divine Mercy Prayer is very short and easy to say. You don’t need the rosary beads (which is the same as the Divine Mercy Chaplet beads). Just know that there are 5 decades of prayers - so repeat the sequence 5 times.

Here are two links:
ewtn.com/Devotionals/mercy/dmmap.htm
catholicity.com/prayer/divinemercy.html

I also recommend you go ahead and try to form a perfect contrition. Form an interior state of sorrow for offending God who is deserving of all our love and say the Act of Contrition Prayer:
Act of Contrition:

O my God, I am heartfully sorry for having offended thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishment, but most of all because I have offended Thee my God, Who is all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more, and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.

God Bless
James

 

[StevieD]

StevieD, it seems like what you are saying is not very orthodox if I am not mistaken. First, and I could be missing something, I thought perfect contrition was sorrow for one’s sins out of a love of God, but that most people in fact do not experience perfect contrition and that is why confession is necessary, because then only imperfect contrition is required.
How can it be that “most people,” even non-Christians, will be “pushed, pulled or dragged” into heaven? Does not Jesus contradict this when he says, “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:14)?

Thank you, it’s great having a community of people I can talk to on subjects like this.

Points taken. You would be much better off getting advice from a priest rather than relying on unordained strangers. I wonder why you don’t, is it that you are trying to make a point here like so many non-Catholics in the guise of seeking advice.

 

[Michael_N_1]

First, CentralFLJames, thank you so much for your response. It was very helpful, and I am intrigued by these continuing instances of God showing himself to mankind.

Next,

Points taken. You would be much better off getting advice from a priest rather than relying on unordained strangers. I wonder why you don’t, is it that you are trying to make a point here like so many non-Catholics in the guise of seeking advice.

I realize that this seems to go on here a lot, though I have not been lurking for very long. I’m sorry that I came across as though I was trying to make some kind of a point; to tell the truth, I was surprised by what you said, but not having heard it before, I certainly wasn’t trying to set anything up. I really am seeking advice.

The reason I don’t ask a priest is that this is so much easier and plus I get more than one person responding. It is so much easier because (1) this is not in the least intimidating (though I know that asking a priest should not be), and (2) because I am not really independent, I cannot drive or otherwise get around myself, and it would make huge waves in my family to want to go talk to a Catholic priest. If that’s the wrong attitude, tell me, but from the responses to this thread so far, it seems like my situation is not an emergency and I should just keep doing like I’m doing (but continue to study Catholic teaching and try my hardest with God’s grace not to sin!).

Wishing only the best.
Michael

 

[Prayer_Warrior]

Hi Michael,

Please try to be patient with us long time forum members. We see a lot of people sign up just to make ugly remarks about our religion or to try to convert us to their own. Sometimes, we sound defensive or offensive.

If a non-Catholic is sincerely sorry for their sins, they will be forgiven. Catholics greatly benefit from the grace of the sacraments, like the sacrament of reconciliation, however, they are not the only means by which God gives grace. Our belief is that for a sin to be called a mortal sin there have to be three conditions met. The sin has to be a grave matter, the sinner commits the sin with full knowledge and full consent. God is always waiting to forgive us and we only have to sincerely turn back to Him and ask for forgiveness and He will forgive.

You are not bound to follow sacramental living because you can’t at this time. No worries. God knows this and He will grant you much grace to get you through this time period. When you think about your sins, try not to think about the punishment (hell) for mortal sin. Instead, think about God. Think about how much it hurts and offends Him when you do x, y, or z. Then pray for the grace to have perfect contrition, that is to say, you are sorry for your sins for the love of God and not sorry for your sins just because you’re afraid of hell (see the difference?). Your desire means A LOT to God, don’t sell Him short. He will keep helping you. Pray every day for forgiveness and be specific. Also, pray for the grace to repent and turn away from whatever sins that you seem to repeat. Also, you might want to pray that God will reveal to you what penance He would like you to perform. He might put it on your heart to read something from the Bible, or to pray the Our Father reverently three times, or to perform a kindness for someone.

Don’t be afraid of hell. No one has ended up in hell because they didn’t know any better. People who are in hell have deliberately chosen to separate themselves from God.

 

[Michael_N_1]

Hi Michael,

Please try to be patient with us long time forum members. We see a lot of people sign up just to make ugly remarks about our religion or to try to convert us to their own. Sometimes, we sound defensive or offensive.

If a non-Catholic is sincerely sorry for their sins, they will be forgiven. Catholics greatly benefit from the grace of the sacraments, like the sacrament of reconciliation, however, they are not the only means by which God gives grace. Our belief is that for a sin to be called a mortal sin there have to be three conditions met. The sin has to be a grave matter, the sinner commits the sin with full knowledge and full consent. God is always waiting to forgive us and we only have to sincerely turn back to Him and ask for forgiveness and He will forgive.

You are not bound to follow sacramental living because you can’t at this time. No worries. God knows this and He will grant you much grace to get you through this time period. When you think about your sins, try not to think about the punishment (hell) for mortal sin. Instead, think about God. Think about how much it hurts and offends Him when you do x, y, or z. Then pray for the grace to have perfect contrition, that is to say, you are sorry for your sins for the love of God and not sorry for your sins just because you’re afraid of hell (see the difference?). Your desire means A LOT to God, don’t sell Him short. He will keep helping you. Pray every day for forgiveness and be specific. Also, pray for the grace to repent and turn away from whatever sins that you seem to repeat. Also, you might want to pray that God will reveal to you what penance He would like you to perform. He might put it on your heart to read something from the Bible, or to pray the Our Father reverently three times, or to perform a kindness for someone.

Don’t be afraid of hell. No one has ended up in hell because they didn’t know any better. People who are in hell have deliberately chosen to separate themselves from God.

Thank you so much for this. This is what I was looking for and asking for. I needed this. It is very comforting and insightful and I feel so much better. See you later perhaps on the forum.
Michael