Posted by
Shogrensus on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 12:09:16 PM
The women discussed the Catholic Church’s position on Limbo.
Joy is confused because the Church is getting rid of Limbo- the place that many Catholics thought little babies went if they died before Baptism.
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Joy: I am a Catholic girl. I grew up a Catholic girl. I had First Communion, Holy Confirmation- whatever they call it these days and they had something called limbo. Barbara doesn’t know – She’s asking me “What is Limbo?” Limbo is a place where little babies who were not baptized went to and their punishment for not being baptized was that they would never see God but that they would not be unhappy. They would have things to do- they would color, whatever. They’re in Limbo
Rosie: It is sort of like they’d be at the mall but God wouldn’t show up.
BW goes on to explain: So the Pope decided that babies who are not baptized cause it’s not their fault do not go to limbo, they go to Heaven.
Joy: They go to Heaven now
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The Catholic News Service published an article discussing "The Hope of Salvation for Infants Who Die Without Being Baptized" on Friday April 20, 2007. This document represents the culmination of years of discussion about an issue that troubled many people. The CNS article (click here to read the article) describes in great detail how the Vatican’s International Theological Commission came to its current conclusion about salvation for these children.
The article noted above explains the history of Limbo: In the fifth century St. Augustine had concluded that unbaptized babies would spend eternity in Hell. In the 13thcentury the Church referred to “limbo” when discussing where children who had not been baptized might spend eternity. The theologians of the time described limbo as a place where the children would not suffer.
It is not that the Catechism taught that babies went into limbo. (Click here to read the Catechism) In fact, the Catechism taught that:
As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that all men should be saved, and Jesus' tenderness toward children which caused him to say: "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them," allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without Baptism. All the more urgent is the Church's call not to prevent little children coming to Christ through the gift of holy Baptism.
The Church believes that God is merciful and that Christ’s sacrifice offers hope that these children will be granted salvation.
I hope this helps, Joy.