212. In what does hell consist?
(Comp
212) Hell consists in the eternal damnation of those who die in mortal sin
through their own free choice. The principal suffering of hell is eternal
separation from God in whom alone we can have the life and happiness for which
we were created and for which we long. Christ proclaimed this reality with the
words, “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire” (Matthew 25:41).
“In brief”
(CCC 1056) Following the example of Christ, the Church warns
the faithful of the "sad and lamentable reality of eternal death"
(GCD 69), also called "hell." (CCC 1057) Hell's principal punishment
consists of eternal separation from God in whom alone man can have the life and
happiness for which he was created and for which he longs.
To deepen and explain
(CCC 1034) Jesus often speaks of "Gehenna" of
"the unquenchable fire" reserved for those who to the end of their
lives refuse to believe and be converted, where both soul and body can be lost
(Cf. Mt 5:22, 29; 10:28; 13:42, 50;
Mk 9:43-48). Jesus solemnly proclaims that he "will send his
angels, and they will gather… all evil doers, and throw them into the furnace
of fire" (Mt 13:41-42) and that he will pronounce the condemnation:
"Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire!" (Mt 25:41). (CCC
1035) The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its
eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of
mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell,
"eternal fire" (Cf. DS 76; 409; 411; 801; 858; 1002; 1351; 1575; Paul
VI, CPG § 12). The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in
whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and
for which he longs.
On reflection
(CCC 1033) We cannot be united with God unless we freely
choose to love him. But we cannot love God if we sin gravely against him,
against our neighbor or against ourselves: "He who does not love remains
in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no
murderer has eternal life abiding in him" (1 Jn 3:14-15). Our Lord warns
us that we shall be separated from him if we fail to meet the serious needs of
the poor and the little ones who are his brethren (Cf. Mt 25:31-46). To die in
mortal sin without repenting and accepting God's merciful love means remaining
separated from him for ever by our own free choice. This state of definitive
self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed is called
"hell."
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