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Dear narses,

"Where we diverge is in being able to believe in or imagine souls in Hell."

No. I don't agree with that. I believe that souls could be in Hell. I can imagine them being there.

"The pilots of the jets that flew into the Twin Towers, for example. The face of Satan was seen in the smoke. I saw it. The Infernal One smiled. I have no doubt that others are in Hell just as I have no doubt I could end there myself."

This is where we differ. I do have doubt that the evil-doers are in Hell. I have no problem imagining that they are in Hell. I have no problem speculating that they are likely in Hell. But I don't know, I have some doubts. And I nurture those doubts. And pray that they aren't in Hell.

I have no doubt that any of us could end in Hell. When I focus on my sins, it's tough to imagine otherwise. But when I focus on my Savior, it's not as hard.

sitetest

I so often agree with you that I find it difficult to disagree. I do though. Our Lord had very specific things to say about those who hurt the little ones. "But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea." Innocent children died in the evil, vicious attacks on the WTC. While I concede that there is the remote possibility of a change of heart and an act of perfect contrition too late to stop the killing, I am certain that possibility doesn't change the fact that some of the hideous, evil people who did that terrible deed (and the ever so many like it that occur every day around the world) are nonetheless in Hell. Not all of humanity who knows of the Grace of God accepts His Grace and some work willingly against it.

Hell exists; God has a purpose for it; it is occupied by both human souls and devils, and it's head count can only increase. It's like the roach motel, you check-in but you don't check-out (for eternity).

How then could anyone's prayers diminish the number of souls already in hell, let alone reduce it to zero? Best save those prayers for Church suffering and Church militant.

I believe that souls could be in Hell.

"Could be? Then souls could not be in hell, as well. Which is it? You either do or do not believe in the apparitaions at Fatima. If you do then you must believe in the words of Our Lady when she says:

Pray much and make sacrifices for sinners, for many souls go to hell because there is no one to make sacrifices for them.(Our Lady of Fatima—August 19, 1917). [emphasis added]

Then again, you may have decided to pick and choose what part/s of the Fatima appartions you believe and what parts are figments of the imaginaion of the seers. I believe that is what your “friend” has decided to do. ;-)