Perfect Contrition

[Warrior1979]

Warrior1979, in the case of the Swiss Guard, in the example given in this thread; he must have a perfect act of contrition, and a desire to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation should he survive. If he only makes an imperfect act of contrition, and he dies, he has chosen his destination when he chose to commit mortal sin. He changed his fundamental option and lost the state of grace, even if previously his fundamental option was oriented towards God. He decided his fate, not God, because God gave him free will to choose, as we all have free will to choose.

FWIW, I chose the Swiss Guard example for a reason. The Swiss guard is a martyr.

The fundamental option theory sounds nice, but as the Holy Father pointed out, it is seriously flawed at it’s core. It was condemned because it endangers those who commit mortal sin, by promoting laxity, because one falsely believes that they are not lost by a mortal sin, because they are fundamentally oriented towards God. Very dangerous indeed!

Very dangerous indeed is also misreading posts and subscribing heresy to others. You made an incorrect assumption and let your post take off like a rocket.

I’m just stating that in the end God has the final say. I refuse to state things like “he’s going to Hell if he does this or that.” IMHO, that is not the place of any Catholic to say. God will judge appropriately and fairly…and that’s that.

 

[TrueLight]

There is absolutely no reason to believe that any protestant who ever lived is now in Heaven. That is not to deny that there might be a few, but we have no reason to have any certainty at all .

Give me a break!

 

[Love_Divine]

I’m just stating that in the end God has the final say. I refuse to state things like “he’s going to Hell if he does this or that.” IMHO, that is not the place of any Catholic to say. God will judge appropriately and fairly…and that’s that.

sigh
That’s not even what this thread is about.

Perfect contrition is being sorry for your sins soley because they have offended God, and that you detest all sins. If you’re even the slightest bit fearful of eternal damnation, it’s imperfect contrition. Perfect contrition is extremely rare.

Mortal sins are called such because they kill our relationship with God. We choose to condemn ourselves by mortally sinning. If we are in a state of mortal sin, we need to get to Confession ASAP to receive absolution and restore our relationship with God.

The Grace of Final Perseverence is extraordinary and not a guarantee. “Final perseverance is a gratuitous gift of God’s goodness, and cannot be merited as an acquired right by any individual act of ours. (Trent, Sess. vi, cap. vi, can. 16 and 22)”

These modern day warm fuzzy-feeling thoughts towards Hell and eternal damnation are extremely dangerous towards Catholics, and priests will be held accountable by the Just Judge for their teaching of this.

 

[enriquestuart]

I have committed a mortal sin (Masturbation), and I can’t get to the church to confess until next week.
Nutraslim Acai

 

[thistle]

Actually, it’s simply common sense. Prove otherwise.

Prove what? The Church teaching is clear. Anyone who dies in a state of mortal sin goes to Hell. If you claim otherwise its up to you to prove your claim.

 

[WFS5801]

Giving the Church authority is not the same as ceding authority. Christ has not lost the ability to forgive sins, and Christ is free to do as He pleases.

Christ did do as he pleased. He died that we might be saved. He also spelled out our responsibilities “If you love me you will keep my commandments.” He told us to “listen to the Church” and told us that the Church “has the keys to heaven.”

Do we love Christ or not? If we do, we will keep his commandments. If we fall we will come back to him as little children with true sorrow for our sins and ask our Father for forgiveness. We will not fall into the two extremes, the sin of assumption (assuming God will forgive us regardless of our actions) or the sin of despair, despairing of God’s mercy. We will not set the rules, we will accept the ones Our Lord has provided.

To the original poster – why do you assume your act of contrition is imperfect? Are you searching for a specific feeling or sentiment? Although I would never assume I have made a perfect act of contrition – I would also not assume that I did not make one. This is why the Sacrament of Penance is such a relief – we don’t have to question ourselves like Protestants – we know. If we make a good confession with contrition for sins, with true purpose of amendment and received absolution, we are in a state of grace. I wish you had more opportunities to go to confession – and I’m sure Our Lord takes the circumstances into account.

 

[WFS5801]

Give me a break!

What he says may be harsh but it’s true. I personally think there are more than a few Protestants in Heaven, but their method of salvation is * extraordinary,* not the norm. So we have no right to assume that Protestants – even those who appear upright – are in Heaven. We can hope and pray that they have committed no mortal sins or have made a perfect act of contrition for any mortal sins they have committed, but we have no assurance of that.

All Protestant sects are man-made religions. Most lack nearly all the Sacraments (if not all of them). Unlike the Church, instituted by Christ, they follow the lead of men – men who specifically separated themselves from the true Church. They are in a very precarious situation.

 

[WFS5801]

Perfect contrition is being sorry for your sins soley because they have offended God, and that you detest all sins. If you’re even the slightest bit fearful of eternal damnation, it’s imperfect contrition. Perfect contrition is extremely rare.

Where do you find this? I don’t see how mortal sin couldn’t make you fear for your salvation. But perfect contrition, as defined by the Baltimore Catechism, doesn’t say anything about not fearing for your salvation, it gives the following definition:

1. Q. What is perfect contrition?

A. Perfect contrition is that which fills us with sorrow and hatred for sin because it offends God, who is infinitely good in Himself and worthy of all love.

It can be a very hard thing to have perfect contrition, but we should always try to have it, so that our contrition may be as perfect as possible. This perfect contrition is the kind of contrition we must have if our mortal sins are to be forgiven if we are in danger of death and cannot go to confession. Imperfect contrition with the priest’s absolution will blot out our mortal sins.

From the Catholic Encyclopedia:

Perfect contrition without the sacrament

Regarding that contrition which has for its motive the love of God, the Council of Trent declares: “The Council further teaches that, though contrition may sometimes be made perfect by charity and may reconcile men to God before the actual reception of this sacrament, still the reconciliation is not to be ascribed to the contrition apart from the desire for the sacrament which it includes.” The following proposition (no. 32) taken from Baius was condemned by Gregory XIII: “That charity which is the fullness of the law is not always conjoined with forgiveness of sins.” Perfect contrition, with the desire of receiving the Sacrament of Penance, restores the sinner to grace at once. This is certainly the teaching of the Scholastic doctors (Peter Lombard in P.L., CXCII, 885; St. Thomas, In Lib. Sent. IV, ibid.; St. Bonaventure, In Lib. Sent. IV, ibid.). This doctrine they derived from Holy Writ. Scripture certainly ascribes to charity and the love of God the power to take away sin: “He that loveth me shall be loved by My Father”; “Many sins are forgiven her because she hath loved much”.

Perfect contrition is the hatred of sin that arises from the love of God whom you’ve grievously offended. I don’t see where that excludes fear of Hell or loss of Heaven. Even in the Act of Contrition we see the words “Oh my God I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I despise all my sins **because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, ** but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, do penance and to amend my life.”

 

[Love_Divine]

Where do you find this? I don’t see how mortal sin couldn’t make you fear for your salvation.

** Exactly! That’s why it’s so rare. Very few people have the ability to do this. Perfect Contrition DOES NOT grow on trees.**

But perfect contrition, as defined by the Baltimore Catechism, doesn’t say anything about not fearing for your salvation, it gives the following definition:

No, the definition of perfect contrition in the Baltimore Catechism does not say anything about fearing for your salvation. The definition of Imperfect Contrition in the Baltimore Catechism, which is right after the definition of perfect contrition, is where you find this. This is why it’s important to read entire sections, and not just pick and choose what we read.

1. Q. What is imperfect contrition?
   A. Imperfect contrition is that by which we hate what offends God, because by it we lose heaven and deserve hell; or because sin is so hateful in itself.

The Baltimore Catechism states that there are two kinds of contrition, perfect and imperfect. There is no inbetween contrition. Either it’s perfect, or it’s imperfect.

 

[ATeutonicKnight]

sigh
That’s not even what this thread is about.

Perfect contrition is being sorry for your sins soley because they have offended God, and that you detest all sins. If you’re even the slightest bit fearful of eternal damnation, it’s imperfect contrition. Perfect contrition is extremely rare.

That’s not true. Everyone has at least a slight fear of Hell. It is the place of ultimate suffering, demonstrated by a being that hates God and the world more than we can comprehend. Everyone is afraid of Hell, and rightfully so. My Confirmation Saint, Saint Padre Pio, was deeply afraid of Hell and the Devil, because he was attacked and tempted by the Devil all of his life.

What the Catholic Church teaches is that if you’re truly sorry for your sins because they offended Jesus, it is called Perfect Contrition. If you are only sorry because you don’t want to go to hell, it is called Imperfect Contrition. You can go to heaven with either of them, as Canon Law states here:

CCC 1452 When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called “perfect” (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.

CCC 1453 The contrition called “imperfect” (or “attrition”) is also a gift of God, a prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is born of the consideration of sin’s ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the sinner (contrition of fear). Such a stirring of conscience can initiate an interior process which, under the prompting of grace, will be brought to completion by sacramental absolution. By itself however, imperfect contrition cannot obtain the forgiveness of grave sins, but it disposes one to obtain forgiveness in the sacrament of Penance.

As it states here, both can lead you to Heaven. But it never says that a slight fear of Hell automatically makes you in Imperfect Contrition. I think someone would either be full of himself or uninformed to not fear Hell and the Devil. The Saints themselves did. I’m not saying they didn’t trust God, I’m simply saying that it’s not bad to fear Hell. It’s both natural and it shows you have a full realization of what sins do and what could happen to you. Let’s face it, fear of hell is how so many Saints are made. How many Saints do you know turned away from their evil ways because they realized they would go to hell if they didn’t? Too many to count. Imperfect Contrition leads to Perfect Contrition which leads to Saintliness. More often than not, one leads to the other.

Dominus Vobiscum.

:knight1:

 

[WFS5801]

The Baltimore Catechism states that there are two kinds of contrition, perfect and imperfect. There is no inbetween contrition. Either it’s perfect, or it’s imperfect.

Here’s the way I look at it. Perfect Contrition, in addition to the natural dread of the “loss of heaven and pains of hell” it must also include a hatred of sin because “it offends God who is deserving of all love” (to quote the Act of Contrition).

How rare or common perfect contrition is, is for God to know. But, luckily, those in the Catholic Church also have the Sacrament of Penance.

 

[Warrior1979]

Prove what? The Church teaching is clear. Anyone who dies in a state of mortal sin goes to Hell. If you claim otherwise its up to you to prove your claim.

As we know, it is the Church’s position that a non-Baptized person that dies as a martyr is Baptized by Blood. There is no distinction made between whether or not the person is in a state of mortal sin. One cannot become a martyr unless they die, and if they have committed a mortal sin, then they have died with that mortal sin. According to you, that person would go to Hell.

This is one specific example of how your belief is objectively contrary to Church doctrine.

 

[LeahInancsi]

How do the Protestants get to Heaven when they don’t go to Confession? Seems like it’s easier for Protestants (other Christians) to get to Heaven. Protestants do go to Heaven don’t they?

Sorry, if this sounds juvenile, but it’s really weighing heavy on my mind that little misstep lands you in hell because my priest doesn’t hear confessions until tomorrow afternoon.

 

[TrueLight]

What he says may be harsh but it’s true. I personally think there are more than a few Protestants in Heaven, but their method of salvation is * extraordinary,* not the norm. So we have no right to assume that Protestants – even those who appear upright – are in Heaven. We can hope and pray that they have committed no mortal sins or have made a perfect act of contrition for any mortal sins they have committed, but we have no assurance of that.

All Protestant sects are man-made religions. Most lack nearly all the Sacraments (if not all of them). Unlike the Church, instituted by Christ, they follow the lead of men – men who specifically separated themselves from the true Church. They are in a very precarious situation.

And how many Catholics do you think are in heaven?

How about this from the CCC, paragraph 847?

Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.

I suppose one can argue that it is their fault, but I tell you from personal experience that there are a lot of God-fearing protestant Christians who dedicate themselves to doing God’s work and follow Jesus with their whole souls. They were taught that Catholics are idolaters and in error. So that is through no fault of their own.

God is a fair God, thank goodness.

 

[WFS5801]

How do the Protestants get to Heaven when they don’t go to Confession? Seems like it’s easier for Protestants (other Christians) to get to Heaven. Protestants do go to Heaven don’t they?

Sorry, if this sounds juvenile, but it’s really weighing heavy on my mind that little misstep lands you in hell because my priest doesn’t hear confessions until tomorrow afternoon.

First off, a mortal sin is not merely a “little misstep.” By definition a mortal sin requires full consent and full knowledge that you are offending God. So, in a way, it might possibly be easier for Protestants to gain Heaven, since mortal sin is not defined as clearly. Where much is given, much is expected.

[47] And that servant who knew the will of his lord, and prepared not himself, and did not according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. [48] But he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. And unto whomsoever much is given, of him much shall be required: and to whom they have committed much, of him they will demand the more. --St. Luke 12

On the other hand, Catholics can live in peace knowing exactly what is expected of them and having the Sacraments to specifically provide the graces needed for salvation. If a Protestant commits a mortal sin, for example, his only recourse is perfect contrition. With no Sacrament of Penance they have no other way of regaining spiritual life. I would much rather have the certitude Catholicism provides than the uncertainty of Protestantism. Claiming “eternal security” and actually having it are two different things.

 

[WFS5801]

And how many Catholics do you think are in heaven?

How about this from the CCC, paragraph 847?

I suppose one can argue that it is their fault, but I tell you from personal experience that there are a lot of God-fearing protestant Christians who dedicate themselves to doing God’s work and follow Jesus with their whole souls. They were taught that Catholics are idolaters and in error. So that is through no fault of their own.

God is a fair God, thank goodness.

I have no idea how many Catholics attain Heaven. I can hope and pray that most do so. I’m not their Judge. I can say the same for Protestants – but in their case they are saved despite their religion. I do know that not everyone who cries “Lord, Lord” goes to Heaven.

As to the quote from the CCC, I believe that it applies mostly to non-Christian religions (or “Christians” who are invalidly baptized). They are saved through the Catholic Church by Baptism of Desire. But again, which is preferable? The certitude of salvation in the Catholic Church (if you obey the commandments of Our Lord), or relying on the extraordinary means of salvation outside of the True Faith?

 

[LeahInancsi]

What I said is correct. Making an act of imperfect contrition on its own (i.e. without Confession to a priest) does NOT forgive sins.
Here is the Church teaching:

CCC 1452 When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called “perfect” (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.

CCC 1453 The contrition called “imperfect” (or “attrition”) is also a gift of God, a prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is born of the consideration of sin’s ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the sinner (contrition of fear). Such a stirring of conscience can initiate an interior process which, under the prompting of grace, will be brought to completion by sacramental absolution. By itself however, imperfect contrition cannot obtain the forgiveness of grave sins, but it disposes one to obtain forgiveness in the sacrament of Penance.

So you’re saying that my grandmother has gone to hell because she left the Catholic church to marry a Protestant? The only thing that changed in that woman’s life after the married is that she no longer attended church. She even served her family fish on Fridays.

If she’s in hell, I’m going as fast as I can get there.

 

[thistle]

As we know, it is the Church’s position that a non-Baptized person that dies as a martyr is Baptized by Blood. There is no distinction made between whether or not the person is in a state of mortal sin. One cannot become a martyr unless they die, and if they have committed a mortal sin, then they have died with that mortal sin. According to you, that person would go to Hell.

This is one specific example of how your belief is objectively contrary to Church doctrine.

Again you are wrong. Baptism of Blood is the most perfect contrition that can be made. Dying for their faith the martyrs sins were forgiven so they did NOT die in a state of mortal sin.

 

[thistle]

So you’re saying that my grandmother has gone to hell because she left the Catholic church to marry a Protestant? The only thing that changed in that woman’s life after the married is that she no longer attended church. She even served her family fish on Fridays.

If she’s in hell, I’m going as fast as I can get there.

I cannot say any particular individual has gone to Hell or not. Only God knows that.
What I can objectively say is that the Church teaches with the authority given to it by Christ that anyone who dies in a state of mortal sin goes to Hell. Therefore, objectively speaking, anyone who has turned their back on the Church has committed a grave sin and dying unrepentent goes to Hell.
Do you reject the Church teaching??

As for your grandmother only God knows her destination. She may have repented and asked for his mercy before she died. We don’t know that.

 

[TrueLight]

The certitude of salvation in the Catholic Church (if you obey the commandments of Our Lord), or relying on the extraordinary means of salvation outside of the True Faith?

The certitude of course.

But I’m just saying someone may not have that revelation but is sincere followers of Christ.