Expert: Charlie B - 6/12/2008

Question
QUESTION: My father died two months ago.I'm a catholic, but was watching Life TV, so I asked  some priest who talked on that TV, about the prayers to say for a dead. his answer was, dead doesn't need prayer because he is already with Jesus and in his company. Is that true?

ANSWER: Mona,
You ask an interesting and important question.  To give you an official Catholic answer from an Diocesan authority, see the bottom of this answer.  These are my opinions:

- you could and should offer up prayers for the dead from day one after their passing, and everyday thereafter.  What's to lose by doing so?   (answer: nothing)

- what you're inferring in your question is Catholic's belief in Purgatory, the wayware station on the way to Heaven.  Here's two things that you and I don't know about your father and Jesus: just how blessed (or sinful, unrepenting) was your father (which determines how long {which time doesn't matter outside our world} he's in Purgatory), and two:  what Jesus mercy and justice is for your father.  Neither of those do we truly know, right?

- given that, it is MOST ENCOURAGED to pray for the dead, especially in the weeks and months that follow their passing. Personally, I believe that souls hear all prayers directed at them... but I can't prove it.

Here's what you, I and everyone needs to be careful of when asking Catholic priests questions:  there are good Priests (thankfully, MANY) and some poor ones.  You must seek answers to questions from priests who you know to be Orthodox, faithful to the Magisterium, the Pope and the Vatican -- yes, conservative, and not liberal.  Why?

For some reason, my observation is that some liberal priests might answer that question as yours did.  Why?   They don't believe in Purgatory, most likely nor do they believe in telling people that using birth control is wrong, aren't actively promoting pro-life, easily granting divorces and 1st Communions when the parents don't even attend Mass, and giving Eucharists to politicians that don't deserve to receive it... you get my meaning.  Be wary of who you seek for advice.

Thanks for asking the question and apologize for the two days it took me to get to it. Give me two more days to get an official Catholic answer.
Charlie
www.breedingtrust.com

Mona, here's the answer that I just received from the Diocese of Charlotte, NC (they emailed me back in two hours!):

Article 1032 of the Catechism is clear as is the constant practice and Tradition of the Church.  One of the spiritual works of mercy is praying for the dead and is a special responsibility for every Catholic.  In the Church's liturgy there are specific prayers written to pray for the dead. in the Liturgy of the Hours there is an Office for the Dead.   I would disagree, therefore, with the response given by the priest in question.

III. THE FINAL PURIFICATION, OR PURGATORY

1030 All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.

1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.606 The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:607

As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.608

1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin."609 From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.610 The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:

Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.611

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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: What do you think of visiting the tomb?

Answer
Mona,
Go to the tomb today to visit your father's grave ... or tomorrow, Sunday.  And then go to Mass.  

Do it right away ... and both the love and grief you feel will gradually transform to more love as you visit him regularly at the tomb.  He's probably looking down from Heaven wondering why you've hesitated to come up until this point.
God bless,
Charlie
www.breedingtrust.com