Mortal sin at death

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Magnanimity

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Hi all! Wow, I’ve been away a looong time. New job and new kids are the biggest reasons (not that anyone was inquiring). At any rate, I’ve a question on what I take to be a fundamental teaching of Catholicism.

I’m sure I’ve read in a number of places that if a Catholic dies with unconfessed mortal sin tainting his soul, he will be condemned for eternity. I’m just wondering whether that teaching is correct, as I’ve stated it. And, I’m also wondering whether it doesn’t seem a bit odd to any other Catholics out there? I suppose I’m bothered mostly by the sense in which it seems to be a bit merciless and arbitrary.

By arbitrary, I mean, does it not seem strange to think that one could live saintly for many many years, commit a serious sin and, before he could confess it, he gets into a car accident, say, and dies instantly. I guess it just seems more rational to think that the whole of one’s life must be taken into account at judgment.

What do you think? Anyone out there sympathetic with my concerns here?
 
Anyone who dies in grave sin does not gain eternal life. To sin is to give evidence of a lack of faith, which must be lived in charity for it to be genuine.

“We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.” - 1 John 5:18
 
OK, thanks…so I have the Church’s teaching on this right, then. I wouldn’t really dispute your definition of sin there, though ‘weakness of will’ should probably be taken into account too. I wonder if you have any insights to share on how the example I’ve given isn’t arbitrary or even (on the face of it) unjust for the man who lives a life of faith and love, and yet commits a serious sin, has an accident and dies before it can be confessed…that man will be condemned?
 
Can we imagine for an instant that our merciful loving God doesn’t give each person’s spirit a moment to reconsider, to repent, to welcome His forgiveness and love in that last moment! To say that He would not do this when He “desires all to be saved”, is to discount His merciful love.
In any case, regarding salvation read Matthew 25, verses 31-46 to see what Jesus has to say about salvation
 
To understand this, you must understand how radically opposed to God, His ways, and His life of charity sin truly is. It is so against God, that by choosing to sin, especially mortally, the individual defiantly chooses to not serve or love God. Mortal sin says that an individual loves himself infinitely more than God and literally destroys the life of Grace in our souls.

Remember also for something to be a mortal sin, there must be grave matter, the individual must sufficiently reflect on the action, knowing that it is seriously opposed to God’s will and that it will offend Him very much, and then must fully and completely consent to do the action.

(As an aside, though, we should also take “habit” into account, because it can muddle the third condition of mortal sin (full consent of the will). For example, if a person is raised to believe that a certain action is not sinful and commits it frequently, and then converts and learns of his error, his will is weakened by many years of committing this sin and he is not as able to resist this sin. Therefore, this sin would be venial until he has fully conquered his will. He should still confess it, though, of course, to strengthen his will and resolve not to sin).

Anyways, when a person truly meets all three conditions, they cut themselves off from God and His Grace. And God respects our choice. If we die in a state or mortal sin, we will indeed lose the happiness of heaven.

That said, your example of the saintly person who sins, but dies in a car accident before confessing should be considered further. This person has, since he is saintly, probably already made an act of contrition, which we should make after committing any sin. If his contrition is perfect (that is, he is sorry solely for the love of God) and he truly intends to make a good confession at the next available opportunity, he is understood to be forgiven, provided that if he miraculously survies, he indeed goes to confession as soon as possibly. He would, therefore, not be in a state of mortal sin and can enjoy the happiness of heaven through his perfect contrition.

Remember that God is Mercy and that we must trust in Him at the moment of death.
 
I think maria2334’s reply really thoroughly answers the question, I just wanted to touch on the scenario of someone who’s lived a saintly life and then happens to commit a mortal sin and die shortly after, before being able to confess.

I have to wonder if that scenario can even exist. When one lives a life in union with God, following His Will and doing as He asks, as a Saint would, one becomes near incapable of mortal sin. I think that’s why Jesus said that we should strive to be perfect as He is perfect. It’s not impossible, as most people seem to think. Perfection is there. If you’ve lived the vast majority of your life free of mortal sin, you’re not going to just happen to commit a mortal sin. There’s going to be something that’s happened, something to shake your faith, break you away from God, and drive you to do something that spits in His face. That’s a person who, when they wake up from their death, will not want to find themselves in Heaven. To take that person and put them in Heaven despite their turning their back on God in the end goes against their free will.

As they say, no one goes to Hell by accident.
 
It only takes one bullet to kill a person, doesn’t matter if they spent the whole of the rest of their life successfully dodging 'em, if they cop one at the end they’re gone 🤷 Life on a spiritual level is constant warfare of this sort.

Now I’d refine that definition of Church teaching a bit.

Unconfessed mortal sin plus sudden death equals Hell, you say? No, not if the person was truly repentant (perfect contrition), had every intention of going to confession just as soon as they could (if they were Catholic - non Catholics are saved too, but it’s impossible for them to confess so I guess it’s a moot point for 'em), and through no fault of their own died before they could make it.

Some people like to say Perfect Contrition is hard. I don’t believe it is necessarily - although I do believe it’s darn near impossible to be certain one has it, so it’s best to rely on good ol’ attrition plus confession, which obtains absolution just as surely.

Now God isn’t some spiteful goblin hovering around just waiting to zap us during that most vulnerable time in between mortal sin and confession. He desires the salvation of all, so I can imagine He’s probably giving many of us an extra day or two more than we merit just so we’ll have that extra chance to come back to Him.
 
These last few responses are right on, I think.

I would only add to their well-articulated comments…

that it has been often suggested (in unofficial Catholic teachings) that no one who finds themselves in hell at the end of their life, goes there loving God and declaring, “but I don’t understand!!! I love you!! This is all a big mistake!! Let me out!!”

it is offered that one who finds themselves eternally separated from God is not surprised by his/her final destination.

take that for what it may be worth

God Bless.
 
your response was also very good, Lily.

Sorry, I was posting simultaneously.
 
Magnanimity said:
Hi all! Wow, I’ve been away a looong time. New job and new kids are the biggest reasons (not that anyone was inquiring). At any rate, I’ve a question on what I take to be a fundamental teaching of Catholicism.

I’m sure I’ve read in a number of places that if a Catholic dies with unconfessed mortal sin tainting his soul, he will be condemned for eternity. I’m just wondering whether that teaching is correct, as I’ve stated it. And, I’m also wondering whether it doesn’t seem a bit odd to any other Catholics out there? I suppose I’m bothered mostly by the sense in which it seems to be a bit merciless and arbitrary.

By arbitrary, I mean, does it not seem strange to think that one could live saintly for many many years, commit a serious sin and, before he could confess it, he gets into a car accident, say, and dies instantly. I guess it just seems more rational to think that the whole of one’s life must be taken into account at judgment.

What do you think? Anyone out there sympathetic with my concerns here?
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God does not condemn anyone to Hell. He gave us free will to accept his love or reject it. Committing a mortal sin is using that free will to separate ourselves from God and if we die in a state of unrepented mortal sin then we have condemned ourselves to Hell.
For your example, unless an act of perfect contrition was made prior to the accident then that person would have condemned himself to Hell.
 
Magnanimity said:
does it not seem strange to think that one could live saintly for many many years, commit a serious sin and, before he could confess it, he gets into a car accident, say, and dies instantly. I guess it just seems more rational to think that the whole of one’s life must be taken into account at judgment.

What do you think? Anyone out there sympathetic with my concerns here?
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Serious sin is not enough for mortal sin.
  1. GRAVE Matter
  2. Deliberate intent
  3. Full Knowledge.
THe above 3 conditions present a soul that has willingly and deliberately turned from GOD…would a saintly person do such a thing? If they did then it is PROOF that god gives us FREE WILL…Which oddly is a demonstration of his love (giving us free will).

On a side not you forgot to mention Perfect contrition. Lets say the individual died on their way to confession…I believe that the answer would be that it is left up to GODS mercy.

WE do however KNOW what God wants…and that is to confess our sins and more importantly those sins that fullfill the 3 above conditions.
 
How likely is it that a person who spends 60-70 grueling years in the State of Grace battling demons and temptations will at the very end of his/her life commit the very sins that s/he spent fighting?

Now it may be that there is a person who has gone on and off fighting a mortal sin who will succumb and die in that State. But it isn’t even remotely likely that Blessed Teresa of Kolkatta or the Servant of God John Paul II would have at the very, very end decided to commit a mortal sin.
 
Magnanimity said:
OK, thanks…so I have the Church’s teaching on this right, then. I wouldn’t really dispute your definition of sin there, though ‘weakness of will’ should probably be taken into account too. I wonder if you have any insights to share on how the example I’ve given isn’t arbitrary or even (on the face of it) unjust for the man who lives a life of faith and love, and yet commits a serious sin, has an accident and dies before it can be confessed…that man will be condemned?
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Always best to make an immediate act of contrition after sinning gravely… while doing it think of how Christ suffered for us and how much you love Him for doing so… with the firm intent to go to confession asap…} ps. for those who have lived an ENTIRE life of faith and love, to commit a mortal sin could be improbable…
 
LilyM in post # 7 is correct in stating that it is not unconfessed mortal sin that condemns us, rather it is unrepeated mortal sin that condemns us. Just saying the act of contrition is not some magic formula. We have to sincerrely mean what it is that we say. The person must have what we call perfect contrition. That is because it offended God and is the main and overriding reason for our sorrow. Being sorry just because we fear hell, does not cut it.
Prayers & blessings
Deacon Ed B
 
FanChan said:
I just wanted to touch on the scenario of someone who’s lived a saintly life and then happens to commit a mortal sin and die shortly after, before being able to confess.

I have to wonder if that scenario can even exist. When one lives a life in union with God, following His Will and doing as He asks, as a Saint would, one becomes near incapable of mortal sin.
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It is possible, but the sheer 180-degree turn that would be required shows that Hell would be justice for that case. It is not, as I suspect the OP may have thought, “accidentally” sinning, and then getting damned for it. Mortal sins require full consent.
 
Deacon_Ed_B said:
LilyM in post # 7 is correct in stating that it is not unconfessed mortal sin that condemns us, rather it is unrepeated mortal sin that condemns us. Just saying the act of contrition is not some magic formula. We have to sincerrely mean what it is that we say. The person must have what we call perfect contrition. That is because it offended God and is the main and overriding reason for our sorrow. Being sorry just because we fear hell, does not cut it.
Prayers & blessings
Deacon Ed B
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Yes. I guess I don’t know the official teaching, but I’d have to surmise that a confession made without at least imperfect contrition would be invalid. (I.e., the sacraments are not ‘magic bullets’; if you are not cooperating with grace you are not getting it!)

(This would explain why a mystic like St. Pio, who could read men’s hearts (women too), would simply refuse to give absolution when someone was withholding.)

Conversely, perfect contrition is enough to restore grace and I agree that perfect contrition is not that rare or difficult a state. Certainly, someone who is a friend of God 99% of the time and somehow falls into mortal sin will almost certainly feel perfect contrition immediately… and if they don’t, and they die, then yes I would certainly agree they are lost and that is that. That person chose to willfully reject God.
 
I’d like to add that many Saints and Confirmed as legitimate apiritions of the Blessed Virgin state that many fight the good fight right up to there last hour only to fall by the wayside for committing one mortal sin, normally a sin of omission or committing a venial sin one time to many thus making the venial sin into a mortal one.
 
cyberwolf001 said:
I’d like to add that many Saints and Confirmed as legitimate apiritions of the Blessed Virgin state that many fight the good fight right up to there last hour only to fall by the wayside for committing one mortal sin, normally a sin of omission or committing a venial sin one time to many thus making the venial sin into a mortal one.
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I for one would be interested in seeing the references on that.

Scary stuff!
 
cyberwolf001 said:
I’d like to add that many Saints and Confirmed as legitimate apiritions of the Blessed Virgin state that many fight the good fight right up to there last hour only to fall by the wayside for committing one mortal sin, normally a sin of omission or committing a venial sin one time to many thus making the venial sin into a mortal one.
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I’d like to see the messages that you’re talking about too!

Also, I don’t think any number of venial sins can add up to a mortal sin…that doesn’t really follow. They’re venial precisely because they don’t meet one of the three conditions and, if anything, habit would diminish the capacity for a sin to become mortal. Could you clarify what you meant by that?
 
mattkubes said:
Also, I don’t think any number of venial sins can add up to a mortal sin…that doesn’t really follow. They’re venial precisely because they don’t meet one of the three conditions and, if anything, habit would diminish the capacity for a sin to become mortal. Could you clarify what you meant by that?
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That’s certainly always been my understanding.

You make some good points there. If full consent is missing, how does a greater number of the same venial sin provide it?

I just thought of something, though. Say that full consent of will and full knowledge are present, but grave matter is lacking… perhaps a great number of small sins do make a grave matter?

Still sounds fishy (and unsubstantiated) to me.
 
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