Mortal Sin and Protestants

[shelton]

Hi All

What happens to those who have committed a Moral Sin and have died and they are Protestants since they do not confess to a Priest? Do they go to Hell or Purgatory ?

Thanks

 

[Vico]

Hi All

What happens to those who have committed a Moral Sin and have died and they are Protestants since they do not confess to a Priest? Do they go to Hell or Purgatory ?

Thanks

It they repent of all mortal sins before death, with perfect contrition, then they can attain heaven, and may experience purgatory also.

 

[TheCatholicKnight]

Well, even a Catholic who died in Mortal Sin would go to hell, let alone a Protestant whom is not able to access such Sacraments as the Sacrament of Penance.

We must pray for Protestants, that they convert to the true faith, and revert from their errors, before they’re damned for eternity.

 

[Mary_Ellen]

From the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution “Lumen Gentium” (Light of the Nations):

1. This Sacred Council wishes to turn its attention firstly to the Catholic faithful. Basing itself upon Sacred Scripture and Tradition, it teaches that the Church, now sojourning on earth as an exile, is necessary for salvation. Christ, present to us in His Body, which is the Church, is the one Mediator and the unique way of salvation. In explicit terms He Himself affirmed the necessity of faith and baptism and thereby affirmed also the necessity of the Church, for through baptism as through a door men enter the Church. Whosoever, therefore, knowing that the Catholic Church was made necessary by Christ, would refuse to enter or to remain in it, could not be saved. …"

Most protestants do not know or understand the Truths of the Catholic Church, they do not understand “that the Catholic Church was made necessary by Christ” and therefore are not liable to the same standards Catholics are called to, namely, the Sacrament of Confession. That said, ALL persons (Catholic, Orthodox, protestant, and non-Christian), at the time of their death, are subjected to the Particular Judgement and are relegated to the same destinations: Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory. It is certainly possible with God that non-Catholics go to Heaven or Purgatory. We entrust all to the Mercy of God.

 

[Vico]

Hi All

What happens to those who have committed a Moral Sin and have died and they are Protestants since they do not confess to a Priest? Do they go to Hell or Purgatory ?

Thanks

The Baltimore Catechism, is very specific:

121 Q. Are all bound to belong to the Church? A. All are bound to belong to the Church, and he who knows the Church to be the true Church and remains out of it, cannot be saved.

Anyone who knows the Catholic religion to be the true religion and will not embrace it cannot enter into Heaven. If one not a Catholic doubts whether the church to which he belongs is the true Church, he must settle his doubt, seek the true Church, and enter it; for if he continues to live in doubt, he becomes like the one who knows the true Church and is deterred by worldly considerations from entering it.

In like manner one who, doubting, fears to examine the religion he professes lest he should discover its falsity and be convinced of the truth of the Catholic faith, cannot be saved.

Suppose, however, that there is a non-Catholic who firmly believes that the church to which he belongs is the true Church, and who has never—even in the past—had the slightest doubt of that fact—what will become of him?

If he was validly baptized and never committed a mortal sin, he will be saved; because, believing himself a member of the true Church, he was doing all he could to serve God according to his knowledge and the dictates of his conscience. But if ever he committed a mortal sin, his salvation would be very much more difficult. A mortal sin once committed remains on the soul till it is forgiven. Now, how could his mortal sin be forgiven? Not in the Sacrament of Penance, for the Protestant does not go to confession; and if he does, his minister—not being a true priest—has no power to forgive sins. Does he know that without confession it requires an act of perfect contrition to blot out mortal sin, and can he easily make such an act? What we call contrition is often only imperfect contrition—that is, sorrow for our sins because we fear their punishment in Hell or dread the loss of Heaven.
…
I do not speak here of pagans who have never heard of Our Lord or His holy religion, but of those outside the Church who claim to be good Christians without being members of the Catholic Church.

 

[Catholicos]

What happens to those who have committed a Moral Sin and have died and they are Protestants since they do not confess to a Priest? Do they go to Hell or Purgatory ?

The understanding of mortal and venial sin is foreign to many Protestants. Most believe all sin is sin. Whether you stole a pack of chewing gum, or murdered the person behind the counter that worked at that store. The sin in their eyes is sin, the degree and gravity of its moral evil isn’t weighed and looked at in the same way as in Catholic theology.

This belief naturally affects the doctrine of purgatory, for purgatory involves the understanding and recognition that mortal sins were already forgiven. I guess a better question to ask is whether God will hold a believer or even non-believer accountable if in their lifetime, someone told them mortal and venial sins exists, and that therefore purgatory exists. That’s entirely up to God. At the same time, we Catholics are bound to speak and not withhold the truths of our faith. That I know we will be held accountable for. Did you speak the truth? Did you try to save another soul or just thought about your own?
We can at least give testimony to God, that we tried.

 

[lilypadrees]

As someone whose parents were Catholic (paternal) and Protestant (maternal), I can say with certainty that Protestants don’t believe in Purgatory or mortal and venial sins. Sin is sin. There’s no such thing as mortal or venial. And when you die, you go straight to Heaven or to Hell. There is no such thing as Purgatory (ie: “place of second chances or do overs”), no need to confess to a priest (he’s just a man and Protestants confess their sins to God directly) and we Catholics are in for a rude awakening, they say…

 

[shelton]

Well we know for sure Purgatory does exist - Jesus himself tells this to Sister Faustina:

Once I was summoned to the judgment [seat] of God. I stood alone before the Lord. Jesus appeared such as we know Him during His Passion. After a moment, His wounds disappeared except for five, those in His hands, His feet and His side. Suddenly I saw the complete condition of my soul as God sees it. I could clearly see all that is displeasing to God. I did not know that even the smallest transgressions will have to be accounted for. What a moment! Who can describe it? To stand before the Thrice-Holy God! Jesus asked me, Who are you? I answered, “I am Your servant, Lord.” You are guilty of one day of fire in PURGATORY. I wanted to throw myself immediately into the flames of PURGATORY, but Jesus stopped me and said, Which do you prefer, suffer now for one day in PURGATORY or for a short while on earth? I replied, “Jesus, I want to suffer in PURGATORY, and I want to suffer also the greatest pains on earth, even if it were until the end of the world.” Jesus said, One [of the two] is enough; you will go back to earth, and there you will suffer much, but not for long; you will accomplish My will and My desires, and a faithful servant of Mine will help you to do this. Now, rest your head on My bosom, on My heart, and draw from it strength and power for these sufferings because you will find neither relief nor help nor comfort anywhere else. Know that you will have much, much to suffer, but don’t let this frighten you; I am with you. (Diary, 36)

Passages on Purgatory in Diary of St. Faustina

Passages on Purgatory in Diary of St. FaustinaShortly after this, I fell ill [general exhaustion]. The dear Mother Superior sent me with two other sisters for a rest to Skolimow, not far from Warsaw. It was at that time that I asked the Lord for whom else should I pray for. Jesus said that on...

prayforsouls.org

So if Protestants do not believe in Purgatory and Heaven is very difficult for all to get to, then that only leaves on other place ?
I think most of us will be going to Purgatory.

Regards

 

[shelton]

Thanks for your answer. Answers my question.

 

[joeybaggz]

Interesting posts in answer to the OP’s initial question. Being a faithful Catholic, I believe in moral and venial sin, the need for confession to a priest of the Church Christ established on Peter, and the existence of Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory. The answer to Shelton’s original question viewed in light of the various posters responses show the fallacy of the Protestant position and resistance of the Catholic viewpoint. Seems simple and straightforward.

Then there is that incident on Calvary where an unrepentant thief, punished for his many mortal sins and crimes, doesn’t go to confession, or make and Act of Contrition to a priest.

He makes a simple request for a remembrance, and what happens…

 

[Debbie_Kono]

Hi All

What happens to those who have committed a Moral Sin and have died and they are Protestants since they do not confess to a Priest? Do they go to Hell or Purgatory ?

Thanks

I don’t know. My concern is for Protestants who have left the CC. Most of my Christian friends are in this category. When I was going through RCIA (2014/15) my mentor gave me a copy of Humanae Vitae…it was so very beautiful I was sharing it with all my Protestant friends. My very best friend who is a fallen away Catholic, now a Protestant was very hurt by my going on and on about HV…she turned to me and said she had had her tubes tied after her last child. I felt so bad. I didn’t know. My question now is…she knows. I try to show her at every opportunity that arises how she needs to return to the Faith. I pray for her daily. Interesting though that this past summer she had a real crisis in her marriage and instead of calling her mentor of 20 years she calls me. I’ve wanted to point out to her that she has leaned heavily on me for spiritual advise and comfort in her crisis…but I’m not sure where my desire for her re-version and pride meet. Please pray for her.

 

[shelton]

@Debbie - I said a pray for your friend. I hope Jesus hears my words.
@Joeybaggz - I found the following interesting as well :

Regards

 

[dconklin]

Where does the far reaching and undeniable mercy of God come into this equation?

 

[lilypadrees]

Prayers being said for your friend. I always ask that “Not my will but Yours be done.” Now, there may have been a valid reason for her having her tubes tied. Not everyone does it for the same reason.

 

[Debbie_Kono]

I said a pray for your friend. I hope Jesus hears my words.

Thank you very much Shelton. We know Jesus heard you…I hope my friend responds to His promptings to return to the faith.

 

[poche]

If they make an act of perfect contrition they are saved.

 

[steve-b]

shelton:

What happens to those who have committed a Moral Sin and have died and they are Protestants since they do not confess to a Priest? Do they go to Hell or Purgatory ?

The understanding of mortal and venial sin is foreign to many Protestants. Most believe all sin is sin. Whether you stole a pack of chewing gum, or murdered the person behind the counter that worked at that store. The sin in their eyes is sin, the degree and gravity of its moral evil isn’t weighed and looked at in the same way as in Catholic theology.

This belief naturally affects the doctrine of purgatory, for purgatory involves the understanding and recognition that mortal sins were already forgiven. I guess a better question to ask is whether God will hold a believer or even non-believer accountable if in their lifetime, someone told them mortal and venial sins exists, and that therefore purgatory exists. That’s entirely up to God. At the same time, we Catholics are bound to speak and not withhold the truths of our faith. That I know we will be held accountable for. Did you speak the truth? Did you try to save another soul or just thought about your own?
** We can at least give testimony to God, that we tried.**

Exactly.

And once someone knows the truth, then they can’t claim ignorance any longer. That’s why Catholics are to evangelize. We can’t be quiet

That said, here’s another angle people don’t think of. We can’t assume or presume a person’s ignorance is always innocent. As the Church teaches about ignorance

1791 This ignorance can often be imputed to personal responsibility. This is the case when a man “takes little trouble to find out what is true and good, or when conscience is by degrees almost blinded through the habit of committing sin.” In such cases, the person is culpable for the evil he commits.

Let’s face it, to go along with that entry from the CCC, information has never been in history more easily accessible to gain as it is today. Ask anyone some off the wall question, and they have an answer in seconds using their phone, an incredibly powerful computer.