Expert: J.M.J. West - 5/8/2008

Question
Hello,
I go to a catholic school and my teacher said that animals don't have souls so they can't go to heaven do you know if this is true or not?
Also the way she explained Beatitudes was very confusing and I was wondering if you could explain what they are and what they mean?
Thanks,
Asteria

Answer
Animals do have souls, for the soul is the form of the matter which composes the creature.  All living things have souls (arguably even plants).  Classic thinking stated that there were levels of souls:  vegetative souls (the soul of a plant) which was only capable of growth and reproduction; Animal souls, which are also capable of movement and some forms of cognition; and rational souls, which are the souls of men, which have all the powers of the lower to, but also reason - which is grounded in the supernatural life of God.

But while animals have souls, they do not have - in so far as we are aware - immortal souls.  As such, animals are not guaranteed a place in heaven (and in fact, heaven is the name of a STATE OF BEING, that state being perfect communion with God, which is not possible for animals).  

That said, it is not inconceivable that some animals may be in heaven.  They are our partners and helpers on this earth, and we befriend some of them and they share in our happiness.  It may be the case that the mercy and goodness of God might manifest Rover in heaven so as to make your heaven more pleasing - but Rover would not be there simply because he's Rover, but because of his relationship to you.

A brief breakdown on the beatitudes (I use this in my RCIA classes):

The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10)
·   Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 3)
“Poor in Spirit” means being humble, and not attached to goods.  The blessed ones are the poor "in spirit", who by their free will are ready to bear for God's sake this painful and humble condition, even though at present they be actually rich and happy; while on the other hand, the really poor man may fall short of this poverty "in spirit".
·   Blessed are the meek: for they shall posses the land. (Verse 4)
Echos Psalm 36:11; they who humbly and meekly bend themselves down before God and man, shall "inherit the land" and posses their inheritance in peace.  Turning the other cheek ends the insane action of violence.
·   Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Verse 5)
The "mourning" in the Third Beatitude is in Luke (6:25) opposed to laughter and similar frivolous worldly joy.
·   Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. (Verse 6)
A strong and continuous desire of progress in religious and moral perfection, the reward of which will be the very fulfillment of the desire, the continuous growth in holiness.
·   Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Verse 7)
From this interior desire a further step should be taken to acting to the works of "mercy", corporal and spiritual. Through these the merciful will obtain the Divine mercy of the Messianic kingdom, in this life and in the final judgment.  This recalls what Christ said elsewhere, “as you forgive, so shall you be forgiven”.
·   Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. (Verse 8)
Calls to mind an inner purity, not only chastity, but those whose hearts seek only god – and they find what they seek.
·   Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Verse 9)
The peacemakers are those who not only live in peace with others, but moreover do their best to preserve peace and friendship among mankind and between God and man, and to restore it when it has been disturbed.
·   Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 10)
Going back to those who morn and who are meek, the pious, whose sentiments and desires whose works and sufferings are held up before us, shall be blessed and happy by their share in the Messianic kingdom, here and hereafter.

Hope that helps!  Feel free to ask a follow up if you want to go deeper...

Pax Christi,

-J.M.J. West