We are taught that it is presumptuous to assume that a given act of perfect contrition is effective, even for devout Catholics. However, this by no means is reason to neglect to make such acts whenever necessary or desired. The doctrine and possibility of such acts is reason to assume a given person is not damned. This means that a deceased Catholic should be treated and buried with proper reverence unless it is certain they were living in unrepentant sin.
Because it is difficult to reach sufficient purity of heart and intention, even for the devout, we can assume virtually all non-Catholics are not saved. This is not absolute, however.
Some people have appeared after death and revealed that they escaped Hell through perfect contrition despite attempting ѕυιcιdє. People who showed signs of reconsidering are given Catholic burial even if they did not manage to survive their effective ѕυιcιdє.
Anyone who reaches the use of reason can use it to make an act of Faith if given sufficient Grace. The Justice and Mercy of God necessarily demand that such a person receive such Grace at least once, as no one is created for Hell. A person who makes an act of Faith can then make a concomitant or subsequent act of love or contrition, thereby escaping Hell. This is, of course, exceptionally rare within the sphere of Christian influence, and is mainly of importance in ages and places outside of at least the visible extensions of it; such as the Old Testament and those unknown to missionaries in any age. This is quite different from the modernist notion that ALL those determined non-Catholics who cry out Lord, Lord are saved by a Baptism they have no desire for.
Topic: Presumption (Read 1696 times)