Pope Benedict XVI Changes Catholic Church's Stance on Unbaptized Babies and Limbo
What happens to a baby's soul when the baby dies without the benefit of the Sacrament of Baptism? The official answer of the Roman Catholic Church to this all-important question was revised today when the International Theological Commission released a ground-breaking report, and Pope Benedict XVI approved it's findings.
After extensive theological research, the commission has reported that there is a possibility that these unbaptized babies can go to heaven. They agree with past findings that there is no definite answer to this question in religious documents. However, they have found that there is enough evidence to revise the official Roman Catholic Church opinion.
Traditionally the Catholic Church has taught that the unbaptized baby's soul goes into a state of limbo. In this state, the baby's soul enjoys happiness and contentment for eternity, but lacks the perfect joy of being with God. In other words, it is excluded from Heaven, but does not suffer the ravages of Hell or Purgatory, either.
That stance has now changed. In a report by the Associated Press, Rev. Luis Ladaria, the secretary general of the International Theological Commission, is quoted as saying, "We can say we have many reasons to hope that there is salvation for these babies." (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070420/ap_on_re_eu/vatican_limbo)
This new stance of the Church means that perhaps these babies do go to heaven. However, "perhaps" is the important word to note. The Church is not saying that they positively go to heaven, but that there is a possibility that they do enjoy eternal salvation after all.
It is still highly recommended that all babies be baptized so that they will surely go to heaven.
The International Theological Commission was urged to do extensive research on this question because of the ever growing number of babies who die without the chance to be baptized. Due to the high incidence of abortion, in addition to baby deaths due to disease and war, it has become more urgent for the Church to research and clarify their official opinion on this matter.
After extensive theological research, the commission has reported that there is a possibility that these unbaptized babies can go to heaven. They agree with past findings that there is no definite answer to this question in religious documents. However, they have found that there is enough evidence to revise the official Roman Catholic Church opinion.
Traditionally the Catholic Church has taught that the unbaptized baby's soul goes into a state of limbo. In this state, the baby's soul enjoys happiness and contentment for eternity, but lacks the perfect joy of being with God. In other words, it is excluded from Heaven, but does not suffer the ravages of Hell or Purgatory, either.
That stance has now changed. In a report by the Associated Press, Rev. Luis Ladaria, the secretary general of the International Theological Commission, is quoted as saying, "We can say we have many reasons to hope that there is salvation for these babies." (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070420/ap_on_re_eu/vatican_limbo)
This new stance of the Church means that perhaps these babies do go to heaven. However, "perhaps" is the important word to note. The Church is not saying that they positively go to heaven, but that there is a possibility that they do enjoy eternal salvation after all.
It is still highly recommended that all babies be baptized so that they will surely go to heaven.
The International Theological Commission was urged to do extensive research on this question because of the ever growing number of babies who die without the chance to be baptized. Due to the high incidence of abortion, in addition to baby deaths due to disease and war, it has become more urgent for the Church to research and clarify their official opinion on this matter.
- Associated Press Story on Yahoo News
Comments
Joe M
(Guest)
(Guest)
01/19/2010
Christ ordered his apostles to baptize and taught it as an essential act to become part of God's Kingdom. The grace for it to work comes through Christ's sacrifice for us, but it is still essential. However, the Church has taught there are types of baptism, such as desire, that are fully enacted when a person cannot be baptized the normal way.
daddy
(Guest)
(Guest)
10/16/2009
halo 3? u have potential of not scoring bk
brendon lewis = bruis
(Guest)
(Guest)
06/13/2008
lol im just a random kid lol trying to do an assignment on religion and how the catholic church change in betwin 2000 to 2008 lol this site came up and i read the artical and i think it was great
great article ..though I am not Catholic..I did wonder how they viewed this..
Interesting story and comments. I find all of this very fascinating.
I'm not a Catholic. But it seems like a good idea to me.
Good article. It's a shame people feel the need to spam good articles. I hope you see this and delete the spam.
darenapp
(Guest)
(Guest)
04/29/2007
This is another example of the Catholic Church stepping back and determining what is more economically suitable for the aggrandizement of its wealth. We see it in annulment where wealthly people married 15 years with children are granted "voided marriages" and acceptance of the homosexual community, because of its larger generally larger base of discretionary income.
Aragorn
(Guest)
(Guest)
04/25/2007
Salvation is not through baptism, if so then Jesus would not have had to die on the cross. Salvation can only be found through the gift of Jesus' sacrifice. He said that we need to repent of our sins (sin is transgression of the law "the 10 Commandments") and place our trust that Jesus' sacrifice was sufficient. Adding anything to the Cross of Christ calls him a liar when He said "It is finished". If there is no understanding of sin then you won't feel the need to repent(examine yourself with the 10 Commandments). Have you ever lied? Have your ever stolen? If you have broken even one of the commandments one time then you are in need of God's forgiveness. Repentance means to turn from your sins, not to just say you're sorry. For more information go to www.needgod.com God Bless
Loye Young
(Guest)
(Guest)
04/22/2007
JD has an odd idea of a "truly loving God". A truly loving God doesn't force anyone to go to heaven or hell. A truly loving God allows each creature to decide. Not everyone wants what God offers. JD doesn't want it. Hell is separation from God. JD himself admits to being there.
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