Catholics/Hell

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Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 9/15/2008


Question
The Bible speaks about the rich man in hell wanting water. How is it he was in hell? I thought you only go to hell after the judgment also Jesus went to hell. What was the reason for that? Is there a real hell.

Answer
Hi, Sydney:
Thanks for the questions.
In the case of the parable of the rich man and the poor beggar named Lazarus, Jesus was giving an illustration of one who suffered the torments of hell and separation from God's Life.  When I read the parable, I don't see that Jesus is trying to lay out a chronology of successive events, including the process of the judgment in particular, etc.  He was illustrating how one's lack of compassion and neglect of one in need has dire consequences that end up with such a person being in a state of separation from God.
The word "hell" used in the Apostles' Creed denotes the "place or abode of the dead."  This word was used by the Jews, and then it made its way into Greek, and other languages, and at some point in English was translated as "hell."
There is a real hell.  This teaching is expounded in the "Catechism of the Catholic Church."  It is a defined doctrine of the Catholic Church, and so to deny it obstinantly is heresy.  I would recommend that you read the details in the Catechism.

Fr. Timothy Johnson

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Fr. Timothy Johnson

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A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.

Experience

I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.

Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)

Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology; MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary; 2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality. BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy; BA - Liberal Arts; AA - General Studies.

Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15. Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office. I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church. Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.

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