Imperfect Sorrow

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Nelka

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I was reading an answer on a Catholic website about contrition and sorrow but the final paragraph worried me somewhat.
What happens if confession to a priest is impossible, and one is close to death or in danger of dying? Provided a person, finding himself in this situation, has perfect contrition for his mortal sins, and resolves not to sin again and receive sacramental confession as soon as possible, his mortal sin is forgiven. Imperfect sorrow is not contrition under these circumstances.
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catholic.com/quickquestions/is-it-possible-for-a-person-with-a-mortal-sin-still-on-his-soul-to-die-and-go-to-heav

So if someone is dying but does not attain perfect contrition (which is exremely difficult) is that person lost? Is imperfect contrition different to imperect sorrow?

Thanks.
 
Nelka said:
I was reading an answer on a Catholic website about contrition and sorrow but the final paragraph worried me somewhat.

catholic.com/quickquestions/is-it-possible-for-a-person-with-a-mortal-sin-still-on-his-soul-to-die-and-go-to-heav

So if someone is dying but does not attain perfect contrition (which is exremely difficult) is that person lost? Is imperfect contrition different to imperect sorrow?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
If a person is in a state of mortal sin they must either get to Confession as soon as possible to confess and be absolved or make an act of perfect contrition with the intent to get to Confession as soon as possible. These are the only two ways to be forgiven.

Imperfect contrition does not forgive sins so if someone is in a state of mortal sin and they do not do one of the above and they die in a state of mortal sin they go to Hell.
 
Nelka said:
So if someone is dying but does not attain perfect contrition - is that person lost? Is imperfect contrition different to imperect sorrow?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Regarding perfect contrition - remember that such is not about any “feeling” per se but more about grace and will. And lesser motives can co-exist with such.

God can give the grace of perfect contrition even in the last moments. God can reach us in ways others do not know. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who seeks his sheep.

(While on our side - we should not though “presume” - rather we are to repent seek to have perfect contrition with hope while we head for confession as soon as we can --which even with imperfect contrition will forgive the worst of sins that are repented of.)
 
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