Limbo

[USMC_Convert]

So as a convert I am not very familiar with Limbo, however recently I’ve come across several readings and people talking about it (I thought we did not believe in limbo anymore). Can someone explain to me the concept and answer do we still believe in limbo? If yes why would God send infants there? Please explain everything!!!

 

[TheDoctor]

Deacon’s answer is what you are looking for. FYI, if I recall correctly, this “bosom of Abraham” is also referred to as the “limbo of the fathers” in Jewish writings, which adds somewhat to the confusion.

 

[Brendan]

Deacon’s answer is what you are looking for. FYI, if I recall correctly, this “bosom of Abraham” is also referred to as the “limbo of the fathers” in Jewish writings, which adds somewhat to the confusion.

And the Limbo of the Fathers IS actually Church teaching. It is the place of which in the Apostles Creed “he descended to the dead.”

The Limbo of the Fathers is confirmed Catholic teaching. It is also a place that we know to be empty, as the Saints of the Old Testament now reside in Heaven.

The theological speculation of which the Deacon refers is the Limbus Infantum, Limbo of the Infants. One is not required to believe that, though there is no block to doing so either.

 

[Polycarp1]

So as a convert I am not very familiar with Limbo, however recently I’ve come across several readings and people talking about it (I thought we did not believe in limbo anymore). Can someone explain to me the concept and answer do we still believe in limbo? If yes why would God send infants there? Please explain everything!!!

From a theological perspective, and how I understand it, the state of limbo is derived from the thinking that an unbaptized infant has no committed personal sin on their soul, but still is impacted by the consequences of the original sin committed by Adam and Eve as we all are. We as humans are limited in our ability to understand supernatural or spiritual truths so we often use mental equivalents. It helps us to think of heaven and hell and limbo as purely physical like locations.

Frank Sheed and other theologians explain that in order for us to exist in the state of heaven, we need special equipment that we can only get here while we are alive on earth. Just like if we were wanting to live under the ocean we would need first to get special equipment that we could only get on shore. The special equipment we need in heaven are the sanctifying graces of faith, hope and charity. He and others explain heaven as the beatific vision, as set out in scripture, seeing God face to face as he really is. How clearly fully we will be able to see and experience God after death will depend on how much special equipment we arrive with there at the moment of our physical deaths.

Those who don’t ultimately obtain the beatific vision will see the demonic vision. They won’t be able to see God or feel his goodness and mercy at all. The worse state they are in at the time of death will determine how clearly and closely they will have to see and contend with the pure evil of the devil.

It is reasoned and believed that unbaptized infants will not be condemned to the demonic vision but will see the beatific vision of God and feel his love and mercy to the extent that they are not personally guilty of personal sin and infused with the free gifts of sanctifying grace given them by God.

 

[grannymh]

The following from the universal Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition provides excellent approaches to use when babies and unborn babies die before receiving the Sacrament of Baptism.

**CCC 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.

**CCC 1260 **“Since Christ died for all, and since all men are in fact called to one and the same destiny, which is divine, we must hold that the Holy Spirit offers to all the possibility of being made partakers, in a way known to God, of the Paschal mystery.”

And this important statement from CCC 1257

CCC 1257, last sentence.
God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments.