ADVERTISEMENT

“The image of fire and brimstone has never been part of Catholic teaching” — Catholic priest says

Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster explains why Pope Francis could have made his explosive ‘hell does not exist’ statement.

ADVERTISEMENT

Speaking with BBC, he offers this as his explanation for Pope Francis’ latest shocking interview where he was quoted denying Hell.

According to the Cardinal, the pontiff could have said that ‘hell does not exist’ because he has a different imagery of hell.

“The image of fire and brimstone and all that has never been part of Catholic teaching. It’s been part of Catholic iconography, Christian iconography, but it’s never been part of teaching,” Nichols said.

ADVERTISEMENT

He added, “In fact, you know, there’s nowhere in Catholic teaching that says any one person is in Hell,” Nichols said. “St. Augustine had the wonderful expression of the man committing suicide, ‘Between the bridge and the water, the mercy of God can get in’.”

However, the cardinal does say that the existence of Hell is a part of Catholic beliefs.

In his words, “The existence [of Hell] is a straightforward consequence of our freedom of choice. All that Catholic teaching says is that if a person makes a final, deliberate, irrevocable decision to reject any notion, any response, any willingness to be open to God, that’s a definitive decision that separates them from God.”

When asked, “So, what happens?” Nichols replied, “Who knows?”

ADVERTISEMENT

Does Hell exist?

A major controversy was born on March 29, 2018, when the Italian newspaper La Repubblica published an article by its founder, 93-year-old Eugenio Scalfari where he quotes the Pope saying that hell does not exist.

According to the reporter, Pope Francis said: “After death, the souls of people who repent are pardoned by God and join in his contemplation, but those who do not repent, and therefore cannot be pardoned, disappear.”

“Hell does not exist — what exists is the disappearance of sinful souls,” he added.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The Holy Father recently received the founder of the daily La Repubblica in a private meeting on the occasion of Easter, without, however, releasing any interview.

“Everything reported by the author in [Thursday’s] article is the fruit of his own reconstruction, in which the verbatim words pronounced by the Pope are not quoted. No direct report of speech, therefore, may be considered a faithful transcription of the words of the Holy Father,” the Press Office of the Holy See said.

The Pope is yet to respond with a personal comment.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Here's everything to know about being a virgin on your wedding night

Here's everything to know about being a virgin on your wedding night

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

5 reasons Easter was more fun when we were children

5 reasons Easter was more fun when we were children

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT