Q. Did Pope Francis just say that there is
no hell? (Chesapeake, Va.)
A. No, Pope Francis did not say that there is no hell. That
misinformation comes from a March 2018 article in the Italian newspaper La Repubblica. The article — written by that
newspaper's co-founder and former editor, Eugenio Scalfari — claimed that the
pope had told Scalfari in a recent conversation that "the souls of those
who are unrepentant, and thus cannot be forgiven, disappear" and that
"hell does not exist; the disappearance of sinful souls exists."
In a statement in response, the Vatican (in notably low-key
fashion, apparently so as not to offend Scalfari, with whom the pope has had
frequent conversations) said that Scalfari's piece was "a product of his
own reconstruction" and that "no quotes of the aforementioned article
should therefore be considered as a faithful transcription of the Holy Father's
words." Scalfari, a 93-year-old avowed atheist, has admitted that he does
not take notes or use a tape recorder when doing interviews with the pope.
In fact, Pope Francis has spoken on a number of occasions of hell
as a real and final destination for serious sinners who do not repent. In 2014,
for example — speaking to families of those victimized by the Mafia — the
pontiff pleaded with members of the Mafia to turn their lives around.
"Convert," said Pope Francis, "there is still time for not
ending up in hell. It is what is waiting for you if you continue on this
path."
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, "The teaching of
the church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after
death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell,
where they suffer the punishments of hell, 'eternal fire.' The chief punishment
of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life
and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs" (No. 1035).
Q. I am a divorced and remarried Catholic
and have been asked by my grandniece to be her sponsor for confirmation. Forty
years ago, I was divorced and remarried. At that time, I was told by my pastor
that I could not receive Communion, and so I have not done so for all these
years. I still, though, go to Mass every Sunday, believe in Jesus as my Lord
and God, and try to live a good Catholic life. But does this mean that I cannot
be her sponsor? (Baltimore)
A. A sponsor must be a practicing Catholic eligible to
participate fully in the sacramental life of the church, including holy
Communion.
The church's Code of Canon Law expresses it this way: "To be
permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must … be a Catholic who
has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the
Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be
taken on" (Canon 874).
That prescription is commonly taken to require full sacramental
eligibility. The reason is that a sponsor serves as a role model in the faith
for the person being baptized or confirmed and so, logically, must be able to
share completely in the church's sacramental life.
And so, sadly, at this time you would not be able to be a
confirmation sponsor for your grandniece. I certainly compliment you, though,
on remaining faithful to Mass attendance over all this time. That is exactly as
it should be; you are still a member of the Catholic Church and you no doubt
benefit spiritually from your regular presence at Mass.
You would also, by the way, be able to receive the anointing of
the sick when seriously ill and to have a Catholic funeral. But have you ever
thought about talking to a priest about your particular situation? It may be
that an annulment of your first marriage is possible, so that you could return
to reception of the Eucharist and be able to be a sponsor.
Questions may be sent to Father Kenneth
Doyle at askfatherdoyle@gmail.com and 30 Columbia Circle Dr., Albany, New York
12203.