Questions / Salvation, heaven and hell

Is hell real?

Church teaching

Answered on video by Bishop Robert Barron

Video: Bishop Barron on Hell, Bishop Robert Barron, published Oct 6, 2009. Checked 10 October 2026. Loads from YouTube (privacy-enhanced mode) only when you press play. Watch on YouTube

In short: Yes. Dying in mortal sin, unrepentant, means staying separated from God by your own free choice. CCC 1033 CCC 1035

The answer, in writing

Church teaching

We can’t be united with God unless we freely choose to love Him. CCC 1033

The Church affirms the existence of hell; its chief punishment is eternal separation from God, in whom alone we can have the life and happiness we were made for. CCC 1035

Our words

Jesus talked about hell a lot, out of love, the way you’d shout at someone about to step into traffic.

Watch another on this

Play video: If God Loves Everyone, Why Doesn't Everyone Go to Heaven?, Ascension Presents, from Ascension Presents, 8 min. Loads from YouTube when pressed.

Does God send people to hell?

Play video: How could we be happy in Heaven knowing souls are in Hell?, Catholic Answers, from Catholic Answers Live, 5 min. Loads from YouTube when pressed.

How could we be happy in heaven if people are in hell?

Play video: Trent Horn - Why is the punishment of Hell eternal?, Catholic Answers, from Catholic Answers Live, 6 min. Loads from YouTube when pressed.

Why is hell forever?

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Related questions

Do Catholics believe we are saved by grace? Catholic Answers · 2 minAren’t we saved by faith alone? Bishop Robert Barron · 14 minIs there salvation outside the Church? Fr. Mike Schmitz · 8 minHow are we saved? Ascension Presents · 12 min

Sources on this page

How we know · 2 Catechism paragraphs

1. Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1033, 1035 (official text on vatican.va).

Stone & Incense restates Church teaching in plain words and cites every teaching claim. Our own wording is not an official Church text. Found a mistake? Report an errorCorrections.