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the existence of a place of punishment in the future
 life. For us Christians, however, this belief of ancient pagans, and their philosophers, is
but a substantiating argument. For we have the word
of God Himself, attesting to the existence of Hell in countless passages of Sacred Scripture.

Where Is Hell Located?

The question as to the place where Hell is situated has been a matter of conjecture among the
Fathers of the Church and theologians. St. John Chrysostom, for instance, was of the opinion that
it is situated outside the bounds of this universe. More commonly and with more reason, other the­
ologians think that Hell is situated within the earth itself. Some have even gone so far as to
declare that it is near the surface of the globe, basing their opinion, rather quaintly, upon the
existence of many volcanic mountains such as Vesuvius, the Volcanic Isles, Mt. Etna and others.

Catholic Teaching

Aside from these debatable opinions, a group of heretics known as the Ubiquitists maintained that
Hell is not restricted to any determined place, but is to be found everywhere, since God has not
destined any special place for the damned. This opinion, however, is evidently false, and contrary
to the common belief of the Catholic Church which teaches us that God has established a definite
place for the demons and the reprobate, as