Can the unbaptized be saved?

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Guy355

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If a 12 year old child who wants to join the Church but can’t because his parents wont allow him. But within him he wants to join and get all the sacraments and live the Catholic life to the full, but then he’s killed in a car crash… What does the church say about a child like this? Thanks

-Guy
 
Guy355 said:
If a 12 year old child who wants to join the Church but can’t because his parents wont allow him. But within him he wants to join and get all the sacraments and live the Catholic life to the full, but then he’s killed in a car crash… What does the church say about a child like this? Thanks

-Guy
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He would go to Heaven.

Baptism of desire, invincible ignorance, the incredible mercy of God, these are all non-traditional ways of being saved.
 
Guy355 said:
If a 12 year old child who wants to join the Church but can’t because his parents wont allow him. But within him he wants to join and get all the sacraments and live the Catholic life to the full, but then he’s killed in a car crash… What does the church say about a child like this? Thanks

-Guy
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Intent is the key for many uses of the Sacraments, even when they cannot be formally completed for one reason or another.

My son was planning to join the Church last year, having completed all required tasks but cannot do so now until he’s 18. Were he to face death and (to the best of my ability) can keep him focused on his desire to join the Church and receive the Sacraments, I pray that God will aid his entry into heaven because of his desire and intent.

Remember that *we *are bound by the laws and the Sacraments, but God is not.
 
The Church recognizes two instances where the merits of Christian Baptism (normally performed with water) may be imparted to someone who is unable to actually receive the normal practice. The first is martyrdom prior to ordinary Baptism (called “Baptism of Blood”) and the second is the situation you describe (called “Baptism of Desire”). These are not different types of Baptism, but are different means whereby the merits of Christian (water) Baptism may be applied.

These would be considered “extraordinary” means (meaning “not ordinary”). Many Sacraments have ordinary and extraordinary aspects. For example, the ordinary minister of Christian Baptism is an ordained Catholic minister, but anybody can serve as an extraordinary minister (even someone who is not a Christian).
 
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