Anyone can help me to explain these :( .. When canonical penalties were changed and made to apply to purgatory, surely it would seem that tares were sown while the bishops were asleep. In former days, the canonical penalties were imposed, not after, but before absolution was pronounced; and were intended to be tests of true contrition. Death puts an end to all the claims of the Church; even the dying are already dead to the canon laws, and are no longer bound by them. Defective piety or love in a dying person is necessarily accompanied by great fear, which is greatest where the piety or love is least. This fear or horror is sufficient in itself, whatever else might be said, to constitute the pain of purgatory, since it approaches very closely to the horror of despair. There seems to be the same difference between hell, purgatory, and heaven as between despair, uncertainty, and assurance. Of a truth, the pains of souls in purgatory ought to be abated, and charity ought to be proportionately increased. Moreover, it does not seem proved, on any grounds of reason or Scripture, that these souls are outside the state of merit, or unable to grow in grace. Nor does it seem proved to be always the case that they are certain and assured of salvation, even if we are very certain ourselves. Therefore the pope, in speaking of the plenary remission of all penalties, does not mean all in the strict sense, but only those imposed by himself.
Posted on: Fri, 22 Nov 2013 03:56:29 +0000