Heaven and Hell before Vatican II

[Holland]

I had someone tell me that before Vatican II Catholics believed Heaven and Hell were actuallly “places”. Is that true? I was raised in the pre-Vatican II Catholic Church but I just can’t remember if I was taught that way or not.

 

[FCEGM]

I had someone tell me that before Vatican II Catholics believed Heaven and Hell were actuallly “places”. Is that true? I was raised in the pre-Vatican II Catholic Church but I just can’t remember if I was taught that way or not.

The Church has always taught that there is a “placeness” about Heaven and Hell because of our belief in the resurrection (our resurrected bodies will be somewhere). The teaching hasn’t changed; it’s just developed further to emphasize the spiritual component of either living in God’s presence eternally or eternal separation from Him. In three public audiences our then Holy Father, John Paul II, addressed this issue:

ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2HEAVN.HTM

Please note especially the footnote.

 

[Ignatius]

I had someone tell me that before Vatican II Catholics believed Heaven and Hell were actuallly “places”. Is that true? I was raised in the pre-Vatican II Catholic Church but I just can’t remember if I was taught that way or not.

No doctrines were changed by Vatican II. See The Catechism of The Catholic Church.

 

[DavidFilmer]

I had someone tell me that before Vatican II Catholics believed Heaven and Hell were actuallly “places”. Is that true?

Vatican II did not introduce any understanding of the “location” of either heaven or hell.

If I interpret your question as "could we, with enough time, and a fast enough rocket ship (or tunnel boring machine) plot a course and reach heaven (or hell) then the answer is categorically “NO”

Both Heaven and hell are purely spiritual realms, inaccessible to our physical bodies.

 

[puzzleannie]

I had someone tell me that before Vatican II Catholics believed Heaven and Hell were actuallly “places”. Is that true? I was raised in the pre-Vatican II Catholic Church but I just can’t remember if I was taught that way or not.

they have to be places, as there are already people in heaven with their resurrected bodies-Jesus & Mary, possibly Elijah, and at the last day when the resurrection of the body occurs, everyone, whether in heaven or hell, will be reunited with their bodies.

 

[Holland]

I read the text from the 3 audiences from Pope John Paul II. So, the essential characteristic is Heaven and Hell are states of being and the “place” involved is something we will not understand till we get there. I do remember the handouts the Nuns gave us when I was very young having pictures of Heaven and Hell. I can understand why someone would think we were taught they are places like the corner drugstore. As I got older it evolved into a different perception. Thanks everyone.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

they have to be places, as there are already people in heaven with their resurrected bodies-Jesus & Mary, possibly Elijah, and at the last day when the resurrection of the body occurs, everyone, whether in heaven or hell, will be reunited with their bodies.

Your forgot Enoch - people do, always ​

Maybe place-words are used not because they are direct descriptions of the reality, but because they are the only ones we are capable of making sense of.