Father Filmer recently wrote that Judas Iscariot “is most definitely not considered a saint by the Church.”
While his betrayal of Jesus is obviously the most serious kind of sin, is it impossible that he is in Heaven? Judas certainly felt remorse, demonstrated by his actions following Jesus’ death: returning the money and killing himself. Could he not have asked God for forgiveness and received it?
Keep in mind that I was referring to those whom the Church considers to be saints (and consequently gives the title of “saint” to). Although everyone in heaven is a saint, the Church does not actually grant the title of “saint” to people unless they lived lives of heroic virtue worthy of imitation. The Church also recognizes that some saints may not have displayed great virtue throughout their lives but still underwent radical changes of behavior (forsaking their former ways to embrace lives of great sanctity) and/or died as martyrs for the Christian Faith. Simply put, when the Church calls a person a saint, this person is consequently being recognized as a Christian role-model (see also this CNA commentary).
There is a lot more to it than just this, but suffice to say that Judas Iscariot “strikes out” in this regard (not to mention others). After all, Jesus called Judas a “devil” (John 6:70-71) and said that it would have been better for Judas to have never been born (Matthew 26:24). Judas was also a thief (John 12:4-6) who betrayed Jesus (John 18:2-5), and hung himself (Matthew 27:3-5). And even though this latter point could be an act of remorse (as you pointed out), it could also be an act of despair (which is opposite of the virtue of hope). Being a good Christian role-model means to faithfully follow Christ, not betray him.
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