Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 11/19/2004

Question
I am not a Catholic.
I have been reading James Joyce's book "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man". He recalls very vividly the preaching about hell, and the horrible tortures that would be meeted out there.
The young boy was terrified.
To what extent is this subject of hell taught today? If I went into a Catholic school would I hear similar preaching and at what age level?

Answer
                          Peace


Dear Laurence Smith,
  First: Hell is real and place of eternal punishment,I state this because its true.
  Second: I went to a Catholic school for only two years (10th and 11th grade). I graduted high school in 1988. I dont have kids, so none in a Catholic schools either. Yet my third point allows me to give a answer of sort.
   Third: In a good Catholic parish and/or school start preparing  and giving formal instruction to childern by 2nd grade for the Sacrament of Reconcilition (also called: Confession). Its the Sacrament where a person confesses to God and the Church via a priest the sins since Baptism, both moral and venial. This sacrement can be repeated.  If we die unrepent of a moral sin, Hell is out next stop.
    Four: Teaching of Hell at that young age is not morbid,if taught corrently.  Teaching kids that God's love and grace is greater than any sin we have done is wonderful. To teach kids of God's desires for happiness for us but it our choice to embrace it or not, is also wonderful. To protrait God as a mean over seer is unjust to the child and God.

  sorry for the ramble, I hope it of some help

     your servant but His first
               george/ ravjeome72