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.
Recommended Citation
Spataro, Marco Peter, "Eschatology and Christian Ethics: An Argument for Disabled Beatitude" (2023). Religious Studies Honors Theses. 1.
https://crossworks.holycross.edu/rel_honor/1
Included in
Catholic Studies Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons
Comments
This paper was awarded the Rev. William F. Hartigan Medal.