Pets in Heaven? (Especially on May 21st)

EWTN.com ^ | not given | Dr. Richard Geraghty, PhD

[Salvation]

Pets in Heaven?

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A question that comes up frequently is whether people will see their pets in heaven. Now the Catechism of the Catholic Church does not directly address this question. But it does hold principles which lead us in the direction of an answer.

One principle is that all living things have a soul. Here soul is defined as what makes an organic body live. Now when any living thing dies, its soul is separated from its body. In the case of plants and animals the soul goes out of existence. But in the case of man, the soul remains in existence because it is a spiritual or immaterial thing. Consequently, it differs from the souls of animals in two important respects. First, it is the seat of intelligence or reason.  For this reason a man is held responsible for his actions in a way that animals are not. Secondly, the soul is immortal. A thing which has no physical parts cannot fall apart or be poisoned or be crushed or be put out of existence. For this reason the souls of the saved will always be aware of themselves as enjoying the vision of God for all eternity. This enjoyment will be the result of having chosen to act on earth in such a way that one did the will of God rather than one's own will.  And the souls of the damned will be aware of themselves as never attaining this vision of God because they have shown by their lives on earth that they did not wish this vision but instead preferred their own will.

In the light of this essential difference between human beings and animals, it would seem that we would not see the souls of our pets in heaven for the simple reason that they do not have immortal souls and are not responsible for their actions. They do not have the intelligence which allows them to choose either God's will or their own will.  There is, then, an incomparable distance, say,  between the soul of the sorriest human being who ever lived and the most noble brute animal that ever walked the earth.

Now a child might be heartbroken at the thought that he will never see his pet again. He cannot yet understand this explanation about the difference between the human and the animal soul.  I suppose that one could tell the child that when he hopefully gets to heaven, he could ask God to see his old pets if he still wished to. There would be no harm in that. For we know that when a person finally sees God,  he will not be concerned with seeing old pets or favorite places but rather will be captured in the complete fulfillment of the joy of which old pets and favorite places are but little signs. We adults know that, even if the child does not.

For more information on how the Church sees animals in the lives of human beings, check the Catechism of the Catholic Church 2415-2418. You will learn, for example, that the Church, while it condemns cruelty to animals as an offense against the dignity of man, allow experiments on animals if done in a reasonable way.  Again, you will learn of the tremendous difference that the Church sees between the lowliest of human beings and the most noble of the animals.  It will allow animals to be used for food or clothing, but will defend the right of an innocent human being to live against Kings and Nations. The Church will demand that animals be respected as part of creation while at the same time insisting that the dignity owed a human being should never be given to an animal.

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Answered by Dr. Richard Geraghty, PhD

[Salvation]

**But in the case of man, the soul remains in existence because it is a spiritual or immaterial thing. Consequently, it differs from the souls of animals in two important respects. First, it is the seat of intelligence or reason. For this reason a man is held responsible for his actions in a way that animals are not. Secondly, the soul is immortal. A thing which has no physical parts cannot fall apart or be poisoned or be crushed or be put out of existence. For this reason the souls of the saved will always be aware of themselves as enjoying the vision of God for all eternity. **

Animals can't be "saved" so they will not be in heaven.

Any other thoughts?

[Grunthor]

“Animals can’t be “saved” so they will not be in heaven.”

Agreed.

[Joe 6-pack]

WOOOF!

The Doggie Ping list is for FReepers who would like to be notified of threads relating to all things canid. If you would like to join the Doggie Ping Pack (or be unleashed from it), FReemail me.

[a6intruder]

I hope he is wrong.

[arderkrag]

I always like what my cousin said about this when the subject would come up - pets don’t go to Heaven, but if you get there and choose to ask for a loved pet to join you, God will make it so. Heaven is a place of rest and reward - if your perfect eternity includes having Fluffy and Spot, then they will be there.

[starlifter]

How do you know?

[Joe 6-pack]

Ecclesiastes 3:18-21

[Salvation]

Catechism of the Catholic Church 2415-2418

2415 The seventh commandment enjoins respect for the integrity of creation. Animals, like plants and inanimate beings, are by nature destined for the common good of past, present, and future humanity. Use of the mineral, vegetable, and animal resources of the universe cannot be divorced from respect for moral imperatives. Man's dominion over inanimate and other living beings granted by the Creator is not absolute; it is limited by concern for the quality of life of his neighbor, including generations to come; it requires a religious respect for the integrity of creation.

 

2416 Animals are God's creatures. He surrounds them with his providential care. By their mere existence they bless him and give him glory. Thus men owe them kindness. We should recall the gentleness with which saints like St. Francis of Assisi or St. Philip Neri treated animals.

 

2417 God entrusted animals to the stewardship of those whom he created in his own image. Hence it is legitimate to use animals for food and clothing. They may be domesticated to help man in his work and leisure. Medical and scientific experimentation on animals is a morally acceptable practice if it remains within reasonable limits and contributes to caring for or saving human lives.

 

2418 It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly. It is likewise unworthy to spend money on them that should as a priority go to the relief of human misery. One can love animals; one should not direct to them the affection due only to persons.

[Salvation]

That is something I had never envisioned. However, does God always answer in the positive?

[hometoroost]

William F. Buckley had a great story about this. I won’t do it justice but a woman asked a Jesuit priest if her little dog would be with her in heaven. The priest replied that if that was what it took to make her happy in heaven then the dog would be there. Great answer.

[Yorlik803]

well, IMHO a person entering heaven will be rewarded for believing in GOD.
Part of that reward can be seeing your beloved companions.
Animals cannot enter heaven on their own, but maybe by the reqest of the person.
But who knows???

[HighWheeler]

There is no way that a place called Heaven wouldn’t have my dog there.

[Onelifetogive]

In the case of plants and animals the soul goes out of existence.

When exactly is the "death" of a plant? An apple, say? When it is picked? Cored? Sliced? Sauced? Cidered?

Now, if one plant is grafted onto another, does the combination have 2 souls? When a plant is rooted to form a new plant, does the original plant's soul split between the two plants, or does the soul stay with the larger part of the original plant and a new soul get issued for the new part?

I sense a real growth industry in this new line of theology...

[old3030]

Through love, the soul of an animal is incorporated to some degree in the soul of the person who loves it. As long as the person does not go out of existence, the pet’s soul does not. As God remembers us, He remembers us in our entirety, and, as George MacDonald said, “What God remembers ‘is’”.

[lastchance]

Heaven is where we are too be fully happy. If that fullness means we need to see our pets we will see them.

[arderkrag]

Well, no. But in our future perfected selves, all our desires will be perfectly in harmony with His purposes. If one of those desires turns out to be that you wish to have a pet by your side, I believe he would answer that particular request in the positive.

[ZGuy]

OK. Here’s come quick thoughts:

If Revelation is an accurate portrayal of the future, then it would seem to indicate that there are animals in heaven since Jesus will return riding a white horse.

If things which do not have souls will not be in heaven, then creation is going to be disappointed since scripture says it is awaiting its liberation in Romans 8:19-21:
“The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.”

Are animals part of God’s creation? Yes.

[Grunthor]

John 14:6

[metmom]

Animals can't be "saved" so they will not be in heaven.

Well, the lion is going to lay down with the lamb somewhere. And Jesus comes back on a horse with a cavalry riding behind Him. Horse lovers will be happy.

Whether any specific pet will be there is anyone's guess, but if the Lord is going to restore creation to it's pre-sin state, there were animals before people.

[Salvation]

**for believing in GOD.**

I can believe in God, and disobey the commandments or be mean to my kids or neighbor.

How about

Love God with your whole strength, your whole heart, your whole mind and your whole body.

Love your neighbor as yourself.