Bishop Thomas John Paprocki | Diocese of Springfield

As a cradle Catholic, Nancy from Springfield finds comfort in the concept of purgatory but struggles with accepting the idea of hell. She questions how a loving God could send His children to such a place. Father Bruce Scott, parochial vicar at St. Francis Solanus Parish in Quincy, addresses these concerns by drawing an analogy from his experience in the permanent diaconate program.

Father Scott recalls a professor who assured students that they began each class with an A, and it was up to them to maintain it. This approach helped him relax and focus on learning, confident that failure was not the professor's intent. He likens this to God's relationship with humanity, emphasizing that God created everything out of perfect love and declared it "good" as stated in Genesis.

In the spiritual realm, angels were created with reason and free will. However, some angels, including Satan, refused to worship God and were thus given a place without Him—hell. Similarly, Adam and Eve were created with reason and free will but failed to trust God's goodness when tempted by Satan.

Father Scott explains that Jesus came to offer eternal life through His death and resurrection, leaving the Church as a guide toward eternity. Hell exists for those who refuse God. Pope Benedict XVI described hell as a state where individuals have lost all capacity for love.

"The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity," states Father Scott. According to CCC 1035: "Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell... The chief punishment is eternal separation from God."

While it's unknown who resides in hell, Father Scott reminds us that God embodies both love and justice. People start life with an A; maintaining it depends on their choices using reason and free will. God's desire is for everyone to choose Him and live virtuously.

Father Scott concludes by encouraging readers to keep faith alive with the prayer: "Jesus, I trust in you!"

Father Bruce Scott serves at St. Francis Solanus Parish in Quincy.