Introduction
Recently, a video circulating on social media claimed to show two angels taking a child’s soul to heaven. In this day and age, where digital media can be manipulated easily, it’s essential to approach such matters with caution and discernment. Yet, the idea of angels and souls going to heaven is deeply embedded in the Catholic faith. This article aims to unpack what the Catholic Church teaches about angels, the soul, and heaven, and how these teachings might intersect with claims like the one made in this viral video.
What Does the Catholic Church Say About Angels?
Angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve Him. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “As purely spiritual creatures, angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendor of their glory bears witness” (CCC 330).
They are messengers from God and assist in fulfilling God’s plans. The Bible mentions several instances where angels interact with humans—like the angel Gabriel announcing the birth of Jesus to Mary (Luke 1:26-38).
The Role of Angels in Relation to Human Souls
While angels are generally believed to act as messengers and protectors, their role concerning human souls isn’t explicitly described in the Catechism or the Bible in the manner that the viral video suggests. While many believe in “guardian angels” who watch over individuals, the Church teaches that each person has a guardian angel but does not go into great detail about their specific roles with regards to souls entering heaven (CCC 336).
What Does the Church Teach About the Soul?
The soul is the spiritual component of a human being, immortal and created by God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, “The Church teaches that every spiritual soul is created immediately by God—it is not ‘produced’ by the parents—and also that it is immortal: it does not perish when it separates from the body at death, and it will be reunited with the body at the final Resurrection” (CCC 366).
The Soul’s Journey to Heaven
The concept of the soul ascending to heaven after death is a fundamental teaching of the Catholic Church. After death, the soul undergoes particular judgment by God, where its eternal fate—Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory—is decided. The Catechism says, “Each man receives his eternal retribution in his immortal soul at the very moment of his death, in a particular judgment that refers his life to Christ: either entrance into the blessedness of heaven—through a purification or immediately—or immediate and everlasting damnation” (CCC 1022).
Can Modern Technology Capture Spiritual Events?
Technology’s scope, as we understand it, is limited to the physical world. It captures images and sounds but cannot necessarily grasp spiritual events, which are inherently non-material. No Church document suggests that spiritual happenings, like souls ascending to heaven, can be captured on camera.
Balancing Faith and Reason
While the Church recognizes the existence of angels and the immortality of the soul, it also values intellectual rigor. Faith and reason are viewed as complementary, not contradictory (CCC 159). Consequently, while a Catholic may instinctively want to believe in the beautiful notion of angels escorting a soul to heaven, it’s essential to approach such claims critically and consult the teachings of the Church for guidance.
Theological Opinion vs. Universal Teaching
It’s important to differentiate between what the Church universally teaches and what is considered theological opinion. The existence of angels, the immortality of the soul, and the concept of heaven are universal teachings. However, the idea that angels visibly escort souls to heaven in a manner that could be caught on camera is more of a theological opinion or interpretation rather than an established doctrine.
Conclusion
The video claiming to capture angels taking a child’s soul to heaven touches on elements that are very much a part of Catholic teaching: angels, souls, and heaven. However, the Church does not explicitly confirm the possibility of capturing such spiritual events using human technology. The devout may find the video comforting, but it’s crucial to approach it—and similar claims—with both faith and reason, always aligning our beliefs with the teachings of the Church.