Date of Creation

5-2023

Document Type

Departmental Honors Thesis

Department

Religious Studies

First Advisor

Peter K. Fay

Abstract

Catholic eschatology studies four elements of the afterlife: Death, Judgement, Heaven, and Hell. The primary purpose of this paper will be to evaluate the prerequisites for beatification, the state of being for souls elevated to heavenly status. This paper will seek to argue in favor of disabled beatification, particularly for the souls whose mental illness prohibited their use of right reason in this life, through an examination of malignant theology, mental illness, a Catholic definition of God, and the implications such a definition has on the wider study and care of the mentally ill. I will then suggest a path forward for the beatification of the mentally ill, carefully outlining Thomistic philosophy and theology by drawing upon Richard Cross, Kevin Tiempe, and Michael Romero to do so.

Comments

This paper was awarded the Rev. William F. Hartigan Medal.

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