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Doctrine
Question from Carol on 9/9/2009:

Can a good person who helps their neighbors go to heaven if they do not go to church?

Answer by Colin B. Donovan, STL on 9/9/2009:

Only God can judge a soul, even to say that they are good. Pope Pius IX answered your question best of all, when he wrote,

It is known to us and to you that those who are in invincible ignorance of our most holy religion, but who observe carefully the natural law, and the precepts graven by God upon the hearts of all men, and who being disposed to obey God lead an honest and upright life, may, aided by the light of divine grace, attain to eternal life; for God who sees clearly, searches and knows the heart, the disposition, the thoughts and intentions of each, in His supreme mercy and goodness by no means permits that anyone suffer eternal punishment, who has not of his own free will fallen into sin.

This is very theoretically, and no one should depend on it for their salvation. Christ gave us the Church, the sacraments and his teaching for a reason, to spread all three, as THE WAY God wants us to go to Him. Beyond that, it is in His hands.

COPYRIGHT 2009

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