Category Archives: salvation

From the first encyclical of Pope Francis: “Because faith is a way, it also has to do with the lives of those men and women who, though not believers, nonetheless desire to believe and continue to seek. To the extent … Continue reading →

Do the divorced and remarried go to Heaven? What about a married gay couple, or an atheist, or a wealthy business man? In my understanding, persons can die unrepentant from objectively grave sins, such as sexual sins or the sin … Continue reading →

This is a common question in response to my position on salvation theology, that non-Christian believers and unbelievers can be saved by love of neighbor and invincible ignorance. Several points are key in understanding why it is better to be … Continue reading →

These types of questions come up quite often. Essentially, the questions are based on a comparison between what Catholic salvation theology teaches versus what seems fair. And the answer, typically, is that it does seem unfair, and would be unfair, … Continue reading →

ONE I affirm that the state of grace is absolutely necessary at the moment of death; without it, salvation and supernatural happiness the beatific vision of God — are impossible. I deny that the state of grace is unavailable to … Continue reading →

I would like to call the reader’s attention to this talk by Pope Saint John Paul II: All Salvation Comes through Christ (General Audience — May 31, 1995). This concise discussion of salvation works as a summary of my understanding … Continue reading →

Catholic News Agency reports: What Cardinal Burke really said about ‘resisting’ Pope Francis. “I simply affirmed that it is always my sacred duty to defend the truth of the Church’s teaching and discipline regarding marriage,” Cardinal Burke told CNA Feb. … Continue reading →

Rome Reports: Pope Francis may travel to Bangladesh and Myanmar in November. Those two nations have very few Christians. Myanmar is 90% Buddhist, while Bangladesh is 90% Muslim. Concerning the Muslim minority in Myanmar, Pope Francis (Feb 2017) stated: “They … Continue reading →

In his book “Jesus Christ, Salvation of All”, Archbishop Luis F. Ladaria presents his private reflections on salvation, especially on the role of Christ in the salvation of everyone. Ladaria was recently appointed by Pope Francis as the prefect of … Continue reading →

Of the following theological positions, which is sound Catholic doctrine on salvation and which is the heresy of universalism? A. The universality of salvation means that it is granted not only to those who explicitly believe in Christ and have … Continue reading →

Only God can see the soul, and know who is in the state of grace, and who is not. However, in some cases, we can know with the certitude of human knowledge, not absolute certitude, who is in the state … Continue reading →

The term “limbo” is used in three different ways: 1. limbo as a fringe or upper level of Hell 2. limbo as a fringe or upper level of Purgatory 3. limbo as a third final destination, that is not part … Continue reading →

All Christians are not the same. A wide range of beliefs is held and lived by various persons who call themselves Christian. And among Catholics, a wide diversity of beliefs and practices is also found. So when we consider Muslims … Continue reading →

To have eternal happiness in Heaven, a human person must die in the state of grace. The state of grace always includes the theological virtues of love, faith, and hope. So we can say that the state of grace is … Continue reading →

If you truly selflessly love others, then you are already forgiven by God for all sins. True selfless love of others always includes, at least implicitly, a rejection of all that is known by conscience to be gravely immoral. True … Continue reading →

The Roman Catholic Magisterium has many definitive teachings on salvation, which have been taught by Ecumenical Councils, or Popes, or the ordinary and universal Magisterium. And yet common opinions on the same topic persist among the faithful, in contradiction to … Continue reading →

“The Good Place” is an NBC sitcom, aptly described on the show’s official website in these words: “The show follows Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell, “House of Lies,” “Veronica Mars”), an ordinary woman who enters the afterlife and, thanks to some … Continue reading →

My understanding of Catholic teaching has led me to the conclusion that the majority of human persons go to Heaven, and only a small percentage of persons end up in Hell. See my book: Forgiveness and Salvation for Everyone or … Continue reading →