The only way to “know” that someone is in Heaven is for the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, to make a solemn judgment about it. Also, there is a very rigorous vetting process (which can be researched online).
So “men”, albeit well educated men, decide who is in heaven?
I disagree with all my heart. Unless of course you have a copy of the Book of Life.
Nothing any man or group of men has to say on the subject means a thing.
And what business is i9t of yours, mine, driftdiver's, or anyone else's who is in heaven and who isn't in heaven?
It's ironic that Catholics are the first ones to loudly complain when they perceive that others may be judging them, vehemently invoking Matthew 7:1, when they think someone is judging whether or not they stand a chance of getting into heaven.
Oh, matthew, please come out of that den of heresy called the Catholic Church.
YOU personally must be filled with the Holy Spirit to inherit the kingdom of God. NO priest, or parent, or church member can do anything for you or make any pronouncement about who is or is not in heaven. Can you not see that all this praying to saints is nothing but the the machinations of Satan and fallen man?
Why would you want to subjugate your right to directly approach God to anyone else? It cost God an enormous sum to
purchase us and make us His. He will never allow anyone else to usurp His presence in our lives. Certainly not some dead human being who may or may not be with Him now.
We are to grasp this privilege tightly and never let go. As believers we have been given great honor thru Jesus and no one else. Pray directly to your Father who is in heaven!