Do Catholics believe that animals have no soul?

Question

a friend of mine who is Catholic said this, is that just his belief or is it a stance of the church?

Answer 1

I don't believe the Church has an official stance on whether or not animals have souls but I'll look into it for you.

tnkstnkrbll: Catholics are Christians. They are actually the first Christians. All other denominations of Christianity (Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, etc) branched off from the original Church (the Catholic Church).

Answer 2

The totality of the Catholic theological tradition, including its metaphysics, would answer that animals do have souls but those souls are not immortal. In other words, though there is no specific doctrinal ruling, the Catholic understanding of creation and eschatology is more consistent with an understanding of animals not having an immortal soul than it is of them having one.

It is known that animals cannot share in the resurrection/glorification of the body, the beatific vision, and theosis. This is not given to them.

It is known that death is a punishment for sin. That is, that the separation of the human immortal soul from the body is what is paid for our sins. Animals do not have a capability to sin, as they do not possess a rational will. Death in animals cannot be then thought of as a punishment and thus they do not suffer a separation of body and soul. So either at death, the animal soul and the animal body both pass, or that the animal in its entirety is brought to heaven. The later is not terribly rational for we know that the body still remains here on earth.

There is an idea of animals being in heaven. The first, which is very traditional and scriptural, is that creation will continue on and there will be a new earth which will have animals. The second, which is more modern and sentimental, is that you may get "Fluffy" back. This is a possibility, but as we know that "Fluffy" died and, given the it is more likely that "Fluffy's" soul passed away, God would have to recreate "Fluffy" in the entirety.

I would also like to point out that there is a mistaken notion about heaven floating around. Heaven, right now is not the Kingdom. That has yet to come. People in heaven (for the vast majority) do not have their glorified bodies yet. They are just souls sustained by God.

Let me suggest the book

Eschatology: Death and Eternal Life by Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI)

Answer 3

Catholic doctrine is rather quiet about the subject which might be interpreted as no.

However the book of Revelation chapter 5 verse 13 states, "Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out: "To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever."

This sounds like every creature is praising Jesus.

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

I'm Christian so I couldn't tell you, but if you look on this website, It may give you some more answers then I can give.

-http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Do+Catholics+believe+that+animals+have+no+soul%3F&btnG=Google+Search

Answer 5

it must be them because animals are souls too . they just don't have the hope of Resurrection like we do.