Catholics' Selective Sin Forgiveness: Why The Cherry-Picking?

why do catholics pick and choose what sins are forgiven

The Catholic Church teaches that there is no sin that cannot be forgiven, as long as the sinner asks for forgiveness. However, the Church has historically treated certain sins, such as suicide, as unforgivable. This is because suicide was considered a grave sin that deprived an individual of the opportunity for repentance and, therefore, forgiveness. Over time, the Church has evolved in its beliefs and now offers prayers and burials for suicide victims, entrusting them to God's mercy. This evolution in the Church's stance on forgiveness raises questions about the role of confession, penance, and the power of God's mercy in the Catholic faith.

Characteristics Values
Catholics are forgiven for their sins Through confession to a priest
Catholics must admit their faults to be forgiven N/A
Catholics must forgive others To ensure their own sins are forgiven
Catholics cannot know what "final impenitence" looks like N/A
Catholics believe that God's mercy is boundless N/A

shunspirit

The Catholic Church teaches that all sins can be forgiven

However, this does not mean that all sins will be forgiven. While God's mercy is boundless, humans possess free will, and God will not force reconciliation upon them. Instead, He gives people the freedom to accept or reject His mercy. For sins to be forgiven, one must admit their faults and seek forgiveness.

Baptism is the sacrament that forgives original sin and any sins committed before baptism. For sins committed after baptism, another sacrament is required, such as penance, confession, or reconciliation. During his ministry, Jesus Christ forgave sins through his power as the Messiah or Son of Man. After his resurrection, he passed on this power to his apostles, who could then forgive sins in his stead.

The Catholic Church has historically treated suicide as an unforgivable sin, as articulated by St. Thomas Aquinas, who reasoned that suicide was a grave sin that deprived individuals of the opportunity for repentance and forgiveness. However, this stance has changed, and the Church now buries and prays for suicide victims, entrusting them to God's mercy.

While the Church teaches that all sins can be forgiven, it is important to note that the deliberate refusal to repent can lead to "final impenitence and eternal loss." This does not refer to a specific sin but rather a willful and persistent rejection of God's mercy.

shunspirit

To be forgiven, one must admit their faults and seek forgiveness

The Catholic Church teaches that no sin is beyond forgiveness, no matter how serious. This is because to imply otherwise would be to challenge God's omnipotence and boundless mercy. However, humans have free will, and God will not force us to reconcile but instead gives us the choice to accept or reject divine mercy.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that a deliberate refusal to repent can lead to "final impenitence and eternal loss". While Catholic funerals are no longer denied to suicide victims, they may be denied to those who show "final impenitence", including "notorious apostates, heretics, and schismatics", as well as those whose funerals may cause a "public scandal of the faithful". However, even for those who seem to be enemies of the Church and of God, forgiveness is still attainable as long as they ask for mercy.

The act of confession, or admitting one's faults, is an important part of the Catholic sacrament of penance, which also includes repentance and reconciliation. This sacrament is necessary for sins committed after baptism, as baptism itself forgives original sin and any sins committed before it.

In summary, while the Catholic Church believes that all sins can be forgiven, it is up to the individual to admit their faults and seek forgiveness. This admission of guilt and desire for reconciliation are key components of the sacrament of penance, which brings about forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

David's Responsibility: Sins of the Son

You may want to see also

shunspirit

Refusal to repent can lead to final impenitence and eternal loss

The Catholic Church teaches that there is no sin, regardless of its severity, that cannot be forgiven. This is based on the belief that God's mercy is more powerful than any human capacity for evil. However, humans have free will, and God will not force reconciliation. For sins to be forgiven, one must admit their faults and seek forgiveness.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the deliberate refusal to repent can lead to "final impenitence and eternal loss". This means that while the Church does not deny funeral rites and prayers for those who have died by suicide, it may deny them to others who seem to show clear "final impenitence". These include "notorious apostates, heretics, and schismatics", as well as those whose funerals may cause a "public scandal of the faithful". The determination of who meets these conditions is left to the local bishop.

The Church has never declared that anyone is in hell or has experienced eternal loss, emphasising God's boundless mercy and desire for all to be saved. It is not for humans to determine what "final impenitence" looks like. A serious sin must be committed with full knowledge and consent, and any factors that impair a person's judgment reduce their responsibility.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, while no sin is absolutely "unforgivable", some sins represent a deliberate refusal to repent and accept God's mercy. This can lead to self-condemnation to Hell, or "eternal damnation". However, even in these cases, God's mercy remains available until the moment of death, as illustrated in the parable of the Prodigal Son.

shunspirit

The only sin that cannot be forgiven is one that goes unacknowledged and unrepented

The Catholic Church teaches that there is no sin that cannot be forgiven, as this would be a challenge to God's omnipotence. God's mercy is more powerful than any human capacity for evil. However, humans have free will, and God does not force reconciliation but instead gives people the freedom to accept or reject divine mercy.

For a sin to be forgiven, one must admit their faults and seek forgiveness. This is supported by the parable of the Prodigal Son, where the father gives his son freedom, but the son must acknowledge his faults and seek forgiveness. Similarly, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states that deliberate refusal to repent can lead to "final impenitence and eternal loss".

The only sin that cannot be forgiven is, therefore, one that goes unacknowledged and unrepented. This is supported by the Bible, which states that "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6). The object of faith is Jesus (Acts 16:31), and forgiveness is found exclusively in him (John 14:6). To reject the only saviour is to reject the only means of salvation, and to reject the only pardon is unpardonable.

The "unpardonable sin" or "blasphemy of the Holy Spirit" is mentioned in Mark 3:22–30 and Matthew 12:22–32. Jesus said:

> Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter (Mark 3:28)... Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin (Mark 3:29).

The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is specific to the Pharisees' situation, and cannot be duplicated today. The only unpardonable sin today is that of continued unbelief. There is no pardon for a person who dies rejecting Christ.

shunspirit

The Church has historically treated suicide as an unforgivable sin but this is no longer the case

Suicide has historically been considered a grave offense by the Catholic Church, constituting a mortal sin. This position was affirmed by St. Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century, who denounced suicide as an act against God and a sin for which one could not repent. In the past, the Church would not conduct funeral services for those who died by suicide, and they could not be buried in Catholic cemeteries. This was because suicide was seen not only as a grave sin but also as a sin that deprived a person of the opportunity for repentance and, therefore, forgiveness.

However, this stance has evolved over time. In the 1980s, the Church lifted the prohibition on funerals for suicide victims. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, promulgated by Pope John Paul II in 1992, acknowledges the role that mental illnesses may play in suicide. It states that "grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide" (#2282). This qualification does not justify suicide as a right action but recognizes that a person may not be fully culpable for their actions due to mitigating circumstances.

Today, the Church gives the benefit of the doubt to suicide victims and grants Catholic funerals and burials. This change in approach reflects the understanding that a person may not have been capable of making the decision to take their own life with full freedom due to severe depression or mental illness. While suicide is still considered a grave matter, the Church emphasizes that no sin is greater than God's mercy, and that God can provide opportunities for repentance and salvation even for those who have taken their own lives.

Frequently asked questions

Catholics don't get to pick and choose what sins are forgiven. The Catholic Church teaches that there is no sin that cannot be forgiven if a person seeks forgiveness.

All sins can be forgiven, but humans have free will and can choose to accept or reject divine mercy. For sins to be forgiven, one must admit their faults and seek forgiveness.

The process of seeking forgiveness in the Catholic Church is called penance, confession, or reconciliation. It involves confessing one's sins to a priest and receiving absolution.

Written by
Reviewed by
  • Aisha
  • Aisha
    Author Editor Reviewer
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment