If a Catholic has mortal sin(s), and is likely to die soon, but doesn't have a chance to make a confession, how can he or she be saved?

  • Thread starter Thread starter someone429
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
The first opinion is contrary to the teaching of the Church:

“The Synod teaches moreover, that, although it sometimes happen that this contrition is perfect through charity, and reconciles man with God before this sacrament be actually received, the said reconciliation, nevertheless, is not to be ascribed to that contrition, independently of the desire of the sacrament which is included therein. And as to that imperfect contrition, which is called attrition, because that it is commonly conceived either from the consideration of the turpitude of sin, or from the fear of hell and of punishment, It declares that if, with the hope of pardon, it exclude the wish to sin, (y) it not only does not make a man a hypocrite, and a greater sinner, but that it is even a gift of God, and an impulse of the Holy Ghost, --who does not indeed as yet dwell in the penitent, but only moves him, --whereby the penitent being assisted prepares a way for himself unto justice. And although this (attrition) cannot of itself, without the sacrament of penance, conduct the sinner to justification, yet does it dispose him to obtain the grace of God in the sacrament of Penance.” - Council of Trent: On the Most Holy Sacraments of Penance and Extreme Unction, Chapter #4
 
someone429 said:
If a Catholic has mortal sin(s), and is likely to die soon, but doesn’t have a chance to make a confession, how can he or she be saved?

It seems that there are two opinions on this question:
  1. He or she will be saved AS LONG AS he or she repents, that is, makes a contrition (it doesn’t need to be a perfect contrition).
  2. He or she will be saved ONLY IF he or she makes a perfect contrition with the firm resolution to have a confession as soon as possible.
Which opinion is correct? Do any Pope or the Catholic Church have official opinion on the question?

If possible, please give reliable source of your answers.
Click to expand...
In principle, if a Christian repents of his sin sincerely, God will forgive him. How sincere he is, that is between him and God.

In Catholicism, we have the Sacrament of Confession - which can be likened to a facility where our sins are forgiven. Because of this, then from that onward, things can become very legalistic.

We must remember too, there are many instances in the Bible, even though God decreed a law, he always acted compassion. In other word, He sees the hearts. We cannot deceive God because He knows everything about us.

So in a situation where Confession is unavailable, we are still saved by the sincerity of our hearts and by the compassion of our God.
 
I did not say what you say I said not on your point one. Did you read the original poster?
What if your child was living in a divorced and remarried situation or some other objective state of sin and was not concerned with moving back to the grace of the Sacraments and died? Is your reply what you would tell the grieving parent?
It may be the truth of church teaching but please look to the reply by Rueben_J. And thank you for the correction, I am sure it came from the compassion of your heart.

Sure is bitter cold where I live, at mass the frozen chosen teeth were chattering.
 
someone429 said:
If a Catholic has mortal sin(s), and is likely to die soon, but doesn’t have a chance to make a confession, how can he or she be saved?

It seems that there are two opinions on this question:
  1. He or she will be saved AS LONG AS he or she repents, that is, makes a contrition (it doesn’t need to be a perfect contrition).
  2. He or she will be saved ONLY IF he or she makes a perfect contrition with the firm resolution to have a confession as soon as possible.
Which opinion is correct? Do any Pope or the Catholic Church have official opinion on the question?

If possible, please give reliable source of your answers.
Click to expand...
Even if they made it to confession, but their act was done for purely legalistic/technical reasons but with no sincere contrition, they may not be saved. God judges by the heart.
 
I would say AS LONG AS the individual repents!
Let’s remember that there is only ONE UNFORGIVABLE sin
and that is the sin of rejection of God and one who repents
even imperfectly has NOT rejected God.
 
mkoopman said:
What if your child was living in a divorced and remarried situation or some other objective state of sin and was not concerned with moving back to the grace of the Sacraments and died? Is your reply what you would tell the grieving parent?
Click to expand...
I would tell the parent that we have no way to know if their adult child had perfect contrition at the moment of death, that it is our charge to pray for the repose of the soul and that no prayer is ever wasted.
 
Imperfect contrition does satisfy the requirement. One does not have to “feel” anything except fear of hell. Purgatory may be much longer, but, the great thing about being legalistic is when it is God’s laws one follows.
 
TheLittleLady said:
One does not have to “feel” anything except fear of hell.
Click to expand...
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t contrition/attrition itself an act purely of the will, and hence one doesn’t need to “feel” anything?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top