- Feb 5, 2002
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Question: Many people have a hard time believing that anyone except a saint can go directly to heaven after death. When my dad passed away after being in a coma for a week, he raised his arms, smiled and left this world. I think he went to heaven. He was a good man but not a saint. I find purgatory confusing except as a state that existed before the resurrection of Jesus. Also, when Jesus comes back to earth (his promised second coming) to rule and reign, will those still alive here on earth be instantly in his presence, or will some still need to spend time in purgatory?
— Steve Anderson, via Email
Answer: As for going straight to heaven, there are some reasonable doubts that most attain to this without some sort of purification or purgation. Jesus says we must “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48). The Book of Revelation also says regarding heaven, “But nothing unclean will enter it” (21:27). While it is true that many die in friendship with God, free of mortal sin, it is less likely that they die in a state of Godly perfection, with absolutely no impurity of any sort. Hence it makes sense that some purification is likely required for most of us after we die.
Continued below.
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— Steve Anderson, via Email
Answer: As for going straight to heaven, there are some reasonable doubts that most attain to this without some sort of purification or purgation. Jesus says we must “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48). The Book of Revelation also says regarding heaven, “But nothing unclean will enter it” (21:27). While it is true that many die in friendship with God, free of mortal sin, it is less likely that they die in a state of Godly perfection, with absolutely no impurity of any sort. Hence it makes sense that some purification is likely required for most of us after we die.
Continued below.
My dad wasn't a saint, but can I assume he's in heaven?
In this week’s Pastoral Answers column, Monsignor Charles Pope explains the Catholic Church’s teaching on purgatory.
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