…as does the new document. Regardless of our hope, belief in Limbo, etcetera, God has the final say in these matters. That’s why all we have is hope. Creating a place called Limbo, doesn’t replace hope. Removing it doesn’t diminish hope.
Educated Catholics who know the faith do not need Limbo because they understand the central importance of the sacrament of Baptism. However, I would guess that at least 97% of all Catholics, and Christians in general, do not know their faith very well, they just go along as they desire.
Hope is not replaced by Limbo, Limbo gives the lay Catholic the true knowledge that baptism is an absolute and that there is an eternal consequence for not being baptized–even if the person is innocent of personal sin, they still hold original sin and must have that stain removed before they can enter the Kingdom of God. While it is “possible” for God to work outside of His own sacraments, we cannot say He will because God never said He will. Instead, we must live by the rules and parameters God has given. Limbo supports Baptism as an absolute requirement, and therefore it is critical that Limbo or something like it, be retained. Notice: We have not heard yet from the Pope on this matter, and I am predicting the Pope will NOT get rid of Limbo…because he knows Baptism must be supported for Christ himself mandated it.
Here is the simple truth: If unborn babies go straight to the Beatific Vision in Heaven, then there is no getting around the simple fact that the vast majority of Catholics will assume that there is no consequence for baptizing, or not bapizing, and they will begin to postpone and cancel plans to baptize in large numbers (over time of course, not immediately). If Catholics believe (not hope–believe) that God brings every unbaptized baby into Heaven, then abortion becomes a modern sacrament of mercy, one in which a mother can say she did the very best thing for her own unborn child–she sent the child to Heaven–it is like having a rock solid gaurantee of eternity with God in Heaven and abortion would become a very holy act.
Forget any idea of Christians learning the truth, it just won’t happen and the Church has to propogate the Gospel in the real world, not in fantasyland. Protestants already think baptism is not required, that is not a required of salvation (not all, but most Protestants). Catholics will follow that same path if Limbo is actually cast aside because Catholics will come to believe that God will save people anyway (note: they will believe, not hope).
Removing Limbo is a huge watering down of a critical sacrament that will not be stopped and it might already be too late…the media already pasting false headlines all over papers, tv and the internet, the headlines often say things like “babies go straight to Heaven,” or “Limbo cast aside,” or “the Church changes doctrines again…” all of those are false and it is because the Church is dangerously playing with a theory that has helped to support Baptism and Original Sin for centuries upon centuries. Dangerous, very dangerous. And, we will hear over-and-over comments like “the Catholic Church finally gets it, baptism is not required,” or “The Catholic Church has changed doctrines again.” etc.
**
