Msg Base:  AREA 5  - ASK FATHER            CIN ECHO   AMDG
  Msg No: 303.  Wed  5-20-92  9:39  (NO KILL)  (MAILED)
    From: Father Mateo
      To: Joan Neubauer
 Subject: Particular Judgement

+-
| My question here is what happens to the soul at the moment of death? Does
| the soul go on to its individual judgement and reward (or punishment) at th
| e moment of death, or must it wait to the end of the world for judgement,
| and reward or punishment?  This is something my husband and I have been
| discussing.  He says protestant religions teach that no one is judged at
| the moment of death, but that we must all wait to the end of the world for
| final judgement. According to that teaching, no human souls are in heaven,
| thus negating the whole concept of saints.  It was always my understanding,
|  according to what I've read and what I was taught, that each individual
| is judged at death and then sent on to an appropriate place.  Just exactly w
| hat does the Church say on the subject?
+-[JN=>FM]
 
Dear Joan,
 
        In the early Church, there was some discussion about your
question.  Over the centuries clarification grew until the Middle
Ages, when (according to Ott) "the Union Councils of Lyons and of
Florence declared that the souls of the just, free from all sin
and punishment go immediately  after death into Heaven, and that
the souls of those who die in mortal sin ... descend immediately
into Hell."
 
                                                   
        Ott holds that the doctrine of the particular judgement is
presupposed by this doctrine of the two Councils.
 
        Christ said to the Good Thief: "Today you will be with me in
Paradise" (Luke 23:43)  St. Paul wrote: "I long to depart this life
and  be with Christ" (Philippians 1:23).
 
        As in every doctrine, the decisive factor is the
authoritative teaching of the Church and the constant tradition and
practice of Catholics from earliest days.  The Church is the pillar
and foundation of truth (1st Timothy 3:15) and without her
guidance, we can easily go astray (2nd Peter 1:20-21; 3:16).
 
                                Sincerely in Christ,
 
 
                                        Father Mateo