The state of our soul at death?

[Rau]

Only God knows the state of a person’s soul at death. However, we can objectively say with certainty that anyone dying in a state of grace is saved and anyone dying in a state of mortal sin goes to Hell.

Though this is a statement of little practical content, since we can no more know that a person is in a state of mortal sin than we can know they are doomed to hell.

 

[thistle]

Though** this is a statement of little practical content**, since we can no more know that a person is in a state of mortal sin than we can know they are doomed to hell.

Well this is a Church teaching. Its a pity you take an attitude like that.

 

[Rau]

Well this is a Church teaching. Its a pity you take an attitude like that.

The teaching is accurate. So is my statement - “we can no more know a person is in a state of mortal sin than know the disposition of their soul upon death.” (An individual may have some knowledge of his own state, and even then can be wrong.)

And so…“what is my attitude”?

 

[total_Catholic]

As a friend of mine who is in seminary at this time has told me, especially in light of my mom’s death earlier this year, all things are best left to the mercies of God.

 

[thistle]

The teaching is accurate. So is my statement - “we can no more know a person is in a state of mortal sin than know the disposition of their soul upon death.” (An individual may have some knowledge of his own state, and even then can be wrong.)

And so…“what is my attitude”?

“this is a statement of little practical content”. This smacks of sarcasm!

 

[Rau]

“this is a statement of little practical content”. This smacks of sarcasm!

Subtleties in communication, such as the presence or absence of scarcasm, are often not reliably recognized in the written word. In this case, I hope you see that, in fact, it was not scarcasm, simply a reasonable observation.

 

[Ron_Conte]

The Magisterium teaches that repentance from actual mortal sin is not possible after death. If you die unrepentant from actual mortal sin, you certainly go to Hell [Council of Florence; Second Council of Lyons; and decree of Pope Benedict XII].

Multiple Ecumenical Councils have taught that not all human persons are saved. Some souls are sent to Hell. This is also the clear teaching of Jesus in the Gospels. So it is wrong for any Catholic to suggest that perhaps all are saved.

Persons guilty of objective mortal sin might not be guilty to the extent of actual mortal sin, due to invincible ignorance. So we cannot say that a person who is unrepentant from an objectively grave sin necessary goes to Hell.

 

[GEddie]

Though this is a statement of little practical content, since we can no more know that a person is in a state of mortal sin than we can know they are doomed to hell.

Unless you are a priest with the “gift of reading souls,” there is no reason for us to know someone else’s sin state. We will have enough trouble with our own.

ICXC NIKA