Limbo

[DonnaCos]

Does the Catholic Church still subscribe to the idea of Limbo for babies who die before they are baptized and was/is Limbo discussed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church?

 

[Dempsey1919]

This document issued by the International Theological Commission may also be useful to you:

The Hope of Salvation For Infants Who Die Without Being Baptised
vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/cti_documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20070419_un-baptised-infants_en.html

A google search will provide you with all the information you need.

For what it’s worth, I believe in Limbo, even though it has not been infallibly defined.

 

[Abbigaelann]

My understanding, especially para 2,…seems a little kinder than the idea of ‘Limbo’
vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/cti_documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20070419_un-baptised-infants_en.html

 

[Aelred_Minor]

The most important points are that the theory of Limbo was never a doctrine and has never been banned.

Personally I believe Limbo would indeed be the destiny of any innocents who died in Original Sin, though I am not sure God really allows that situation to come about.

 

[YoungTradCath]

The Church never actually “taught” Limbo in the sense of doctrine or dogma. Essentially, Limbo is an idea–with strong merits of its own–to explain a frustrating situation. The truth is, we don’t actually know with certainty what happens to the souls of children who die below the age of reason.

You can believe in Limbo, or you can choose not to believe in Limbo. It is not teaching of the Church and never has been. At the same time, neither are Limbo’s alternatives.

 

[R_C]

Does the Catholic Church still subscribe to the idea of Limbo for babies who die before they are baptized and was/is Limbo discussed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church?

The Church at this point has adopted a greater theological hope than that of the Limbo of Infants.

 

[Mary_Ellen]

Although I’ve not read the whole thing cover-to-cover I’ve read all of the first (The Creed) and second (The Sacraments) parts and haven’t found reference to “limbo” so far in the Catechism.

Catechism 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.

 

[Cojuanco]

The statement just quoted leave opent the option for limbo, as well as other alternative explanations. Really, the thing is we can’t say for sure, as the only Catholics who would know have left the Church Militant on an irrevocable basis, aka are dead.

 

[mikeeh]

Limbo could be a state of the soul within purgatory, the soul is in purgatory in a state of limbo. Purgatory is a place for the soul to be cleansed before entering into heaven. I assume for babies/children who have been baptized, if they die before reaching the age of reason they go straight to heaven. For babies/children who have not been baptized and died before reaching the age of reason, the soul must go through purgatory but is in a state of limbo meaning their soul really only has to be cleansed of original sin before entering heaven. I assume the same goes for people who are severely mentally handicapped all their lives and are never baptized; they lack the ability to reach the age of reason and if no one helps them receive baptism they go to limbo.

 

[markhiggins01]

I definitely believe in Limbo. Over the centuries the saints and doctors have gradually centred around a view that those who die without samnctifying grace but having never commited an Actual Sin do not enjoy the beatific vision but suffer no pain of sense or punishment.

I think I am right in saying that a council condemned the proposition that an unbaptized baby suffers the pains and punishment of hell. I think it was in the context of reviewing some of the writings of st Augustine.

given the serious repetitions in the gospel about the necessity of baptism to enter the state of grace which is necessary for purgatory and the condemnation of the other possibility Limbo seems the most plausible conclusion.

 

[Abbigaelann]

How about we just pray for them anyway. Is it imperative that we know where they are? Do we truly know where anyone has gone in the interim? Why not focus on the here and now, what we are to teach and learn to make this existence a little bit better for us all, living the love? There’s some scripture about that somewhere.I think in reference to some guys worried about where they’d sit in heaven…

 

[sparkfrompoland]

St Thomas Aquinas stated that God is not bound by the Sacraments . This is also quoted in the Catechism from what I remember. Also St Paul taught that God’s Wills the salvation of all. How is that possible if He allows babies to die without the possibility of knowing the Gospel?
www.divinemercypopes.com