Actually, forgive me, being a footnote in one of the catechisms doesn’t give a document any authority, it’s merely a reference to a document for further information.
And the International Theological Commission has no magisterial authority. It’s a purely advisory body, in itself as authoritative as ‘America’ the Jesuit magazine, the Reporter, the Register, etc.
You don’t need to ask forgiveness, dialogue is what the forum is about.
Two points. First, while the Theological Commission has no magisterial authority, this particular study was approved for publication by Pope Benedict XVI.
This present text was approved
in forma specifica by the members of the Commission, and was subsequently submitted to its President, Cardinal William Levada who, upon receiving the approval of the Holy father in an audience granted on January 19, 2007, approved the text for publication.
Second, Section 1261 of the Catechism is taken *verbatim *from the Theological Commission document, which is why it is referenced:
1261 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.
I don’t recall any article from the Jesuit Magazine, The Reporter or the Register that is included as a section of the Catechism.
As to Limbo, yes it is referenced in former Catechisms however the Theological Institute study spoke to that as well:
3. The idea of Limbo, which the Church has used for many centuries to designate the destiny of infants who die without Baptism, has no clear foundation in revelation, even though it has long been used in traditional theological teaching. Moreover, the notion that infants who die without Baptism are deprived of the beatific vision, which has for so long been regarded as the common doctrine of the Church, gives rise to numerous pastoral problems, so much so that many pastors of souls have asked for a deeper reflection on the ways of salvation. The necessary reconsideration of the theological issues cannot ignore the tragic consequences of original sin. Original sin implies a state of separation from Christ, and that excludes the possibility of the vision of God for those who die in that state.
The Catechism clearly states that we do not know for certain the fate of the unbaptized infants. Where they go (a state of being called Limbo or the beatific vision) is a matter we can debate over a beer but will never know for sure until we ask God.
