Sins of the flesh and hell

[notredame_999]

Our Lady at Fatima said most souls go to hell for sins of the flesh. My interpretation of sins of the flesh could be the sexual mortal sins the Church already defines: artificial birth control, pornography, masturbation, cohabitation, homosexuality, even impure thoughts. I am genuinely concerned not just for my soul committing these sins but also for the souls of most of my family as they have engaged in most of these things and view the Church’s teaching, not themselves, as in the wrong. Am I correct in thinking that my good parents who I love deeply could go to hell for not confessing the use of birth control? Am I correct in thinking that some in my family could go to hell for not confessing cohabitation? This troubles me deeply and quite frankly I don’t understand why most priests never talk about this as there main responsibility is to save souls. It seems pretty cut and dry to me- if these things are truly mortal sins that can send us into hell, why doesn’t the Church warn anybody? It seems they are doing a bad job considering most polls that show 90-95% Catholics using the pill. Finally, I bring this isssue up because I am still in discernment and I’m not quite sure if I was to become a priest, how I would address this issue with parishoners.

 

[Redratfish]

From my experience, it is because it is an uncomfortable topic. You left off abortion btw. My priests have talked about abortion, but never any of the others at Church.

One of the main reasons, is because people who use these have a back up ready:
“Their priests, they don’t have to worry about these things because they took a vow of chastity”. Its hard to break through peoples defense of their own sin.

 

[FidesSpesCarita]

Yes, you are correct on all counts. BUT… you need to understand that MORTAL sins send us to hell. Does the couple who are cohabitating understand that they are in sin? Do they cohabitate, but realize that they must l;ive together as brother and sister? Does that woman on ABC take it to prevent pregnancy or for legitimate medical reasons (PCOS)? Etc.

If you become a priest, address it as the Church teaches it. That these things are sins, which, if known, can lead to the wrong place. But with confession, acts of penance, and ttrue contrition (which includes the desire, intent, commitment, and follow through of avoiding those sins and things which lead to sin) the bad place can be avoided. Also remind them that Billy Joel was horribly wrong when he said that he would rather “laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints” because the saints arent crying any longer, while the sinners will weep forever.

Remember that one of the saints (I dont know which one) said “If we all knew how much God loved us we would all be saints”.

Just my 2 scents (cents?)

FSC

 

[Shin]

Take St. Jean Marie Vianney for your model.

He is the patron saint of parish priests.

And look at the F.S.S.P. and similar and listen to the sermons below for good examples on how to impart information about sin.

‘You labor, you labor, my children; but what you earn ruins your body and your soul. If one ask those who work on Sunday, “What have you been doing?” they might answer, “I have been selling my soul to the devil, crucifying Our Lord, and renouncing my Baptism. I am going to Hell; I shall have to weep for all eternity in vain.” When I see people driving carts on Sunday, I think I see them carrying their souls to Hell.’

‘What will remain to you of your Sunday work? You leave the earth just as it is; when you go away, you carry nothing with you. Ah! when we are attached to the earth, we are not willing to go! Our first end is to go to God; we are on the earth for no other purpose. My brethren, we should die on Sunday, and rise again on Monday.’

St. Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney, the Cure of Ars

 

[OraLabora]

Conspicuously missing from this discussion are non-sexual sins of the flesh. For example, gluttony or drunkenness.

The interpretation that limits sins of the flesh to sexual mores is in fact incomplete. Any inordinate chasing of physical pleasure whether sexual or not, is a sin of the flesh:

Galations 5: 19-21: Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are fornication, uncleanness, immodesty, luxury,
Idolatry, witchcrafts, enmities, contentions, emulations, wraths, quarrels, dissensions, sects,

Envies, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like. Of the which I foretell you, as I have foretold to you, that they who do such things shall not obtain the kingdom of God