Why can the Catholic Church declare one person a saint but has never declared another damned?
score:17
That is because Jesus gave Peter the keys to heaven and earth (Matthew 16:19). Not keys to hell. In other words, Peter (and his successors) can bind and loose on earth and heaven (Matthew 18:18) not in hell. They do not have authority on beings outside of the church. And people in hell are outside of the Church.
P.S: Christ alone has the keys to hell (Revelation 1:18)
PPS: One can never be certain that another is for ever damned since there is always a chance for someone to be converted, even at the last moment of their lives. This is a matter between God and the dying person.
Upvote:2
But wait, is it not that Atheists and Agnostics are going to hell? Why not declare them, once dead, officially members of Hell?
(a self-made rethoric question just to bring up two more reasons)
No, for two reasons:
Declaring someone to be in Hell is equivalent to say that God's forgiveness was not sufficient enough to save that person. It is clear that the Catholic Church has no capacity to decide this. It is ultimately God's will (view which I think does not imply universalism).
A person, just before dying, could have expressed faith, repented of her/his sins, asking God for forgiveness. This ultimately rests on the conscience of individuals, to which the Catholic Church has no access.
Upvote:4
The Popes as successors of St. Peter hold the keys to bind and loosen things on earth as well as in heaven (Matthew 16:19 and 18:18). The Popes have not even pronounced on the question as to the demise of the apostle Judas Iscariot and we all know the grave words that Jesus spoke about him shortly before the Passion: "Better for this man that he had never been born" (Mark 14:21).
Michelangelo (1475-1564) in his Last Judgment placed the Papal Master of Ceremonies, Baigio da Cesene (1463-1544) in hell. When he complained about his image being in hell, it is widely believed that Pope Paul III (1534-1549) responded: "That his jurisdiction did not extend to hell and the portrait would remain" as it is!
More post
- π What is meant by the "fullness of the Gentiles" or the "times of the Gentiles"?
- π How does Christianity explain suffering that ends in death?
- π Why do OEC discount the literal interpretation of the book of Genesis?
- π What does Paul mean by "divine nature", as revealed through creation?
- π What is the oldest historical evidence of the Sabbath commandment?
- π Why is being gay considered more sinful than being divorced or commiting adultery?
- π What was the real issue between Arius and Bishop Alexander at Nicaea in 325?
- π Canons on Constantinople as New Rome
- π When Christ was pierced with the spear, why did water come out?
- π Does Christianity recommend learning other languages or dealing with non-christians?
- π If multiple languages cause confusion and scattering, why speak in many 'tongues'?
- π What does Paul mean by "Love believes all things?"
- π What are the 19 gifts of the Spirit, as listed by Leslie Flynn?
- π Death of animals before the fall - what did the early church fathers believe?
- π History and theological purpose of the Sequence portion of the Catholic Requiem Mass liturgy
- π Is the Virgin Mary ever referred to as "the Holy Table" (αΌ‘ αΌΞ³α½·Ξ± αΌ‘ ΟΟα½±ΟΡ΢α)?
- π If Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are patriarchs, then what are Adam, Abel, Enoch, and Noah?
- π Does the JEDP Theory propose that the Scriptures are not inerrant/inspired?
- π How do Christians who emphasize the "religion vs. relationship" dichotomy respond to claims of "relationship with God" in other religions?
- π which denominations have a catechism and if possible can you add a link to it?
- π What is considered to be free choice in the context of "choosing to go to hell"?
- π Did the midwives in Exodus 1 sin by disobeying and lying to Pharaoh? (Catholic/Protestant overview)
- π According to 'Intercession of Saints' adherents, is two-way communication between the dead and the living possible?
- π How do non-trinitarians interpret Philippians 2:5-8?
- π What happens when one returns to faith?
- π What does the Bible say about "bad" words?
- π Does the Bible ever mention class systems?
- π What is the basis for an omnipotent God allowing imperfect transmission of his Word?
- π What is the scriptural evidence that faith comes from God?
- π Tackling Catholic philosophy and theology
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- π Why can the Catholic Church declare one person a saint but has never declared another damned?
- π How, according to the Catholic Church, can God order genocide even though the Church has declared such a situation impossible?
- π Why does the Catholic Church consider protestant baptisms valid sacraments, but not protestant marriages?
- π Can one be Catholic while believing in the past Catholic Church, but not the present?
- π Has the Catholic Church ever declared any group that identified itself Christian as not Christian?
- π Why was Descartes' interpretation of the Catholic transubstantiation not approved by Church and how can it be improved?
- π Who, in the Roman Catholic Church has declared that Matthew 16:18 teaches empowerment of the Magesterium with inerrancy regarding faith and morals?
- π Has the Catholic Church responded to the argument that sex between a married couple can strengthen their emotional bond?
- π Has the Catholic Church ever canonized a trans-gender person with the full knowledge of his/her true gender identity?
- π Why are the functions for man clear in the Catholic Church leading and decisive hierarchy, but there is no corresponding function for women?
- π If both the Orthodox and Catholic Church affirm salvation by grace through faith, why did the Protestant Reformation happen?
- π What does the Roman Catholic church teach about those who die having never heard of Christ?
- π Does the Catholic Church teach there is only one person?
- π How has the position of the Catholic Church on drugs changed over time?
- π Why does the Roman Catholic Church not hold to the perspicuity of Scripture?
- π Why did the Catholic Church change so radically after Vatican II in regards to the status of Jews?
- π Why was Jesus afraid/agonizing in the Garden of Gethsemane if the Spirit of God isn't one of fear but of power?
- π Has the Catholic Church ever opposed interracial marriage?
- π How has the Catholic Church interpreted the tearing of the temple veil?
- π Why does the Roman Catholic Church consider beatification of the pope?
- π Has the Catholic church ever voiced its view on the possibility of aliens' existence?
- π Why was eating meat on Fridays forbidden in the Catholic Church for so many years?
- π Does the Catholic Church teach that it has the authority to change what is morally right and wrong?
- π Has the Roman Catholic Church ever officially condemned the Croatian Ustashi?
- π Has the Roman Catholic Church ever issued an official response to the accusations of the Reformers?
- π Why did the Catholic Church decide to have a Bible?
- π What is the Catholic explanation as to why God has revealed himself in "male" terms?
- π Has the Catholic Church responded to the apparent implausibility of a census as described in Luke?
- π Why does the Catholic church not sanction the KJV translation?
- π Why is the Catholic Church called "The Roman Catholic Church"?