lillydew,
A theological discussion is easier to carry on without knowing that my answer might hurt or discourage a person with a very real stake in the matter. How one answers a person in a situation must be done with gentleness, with no taint of my silly love of pursuit of truth and ideas. I came on the thread to discuss ideas, learn things, etc. This is why I did not answer you, so perhaps others were concerned as well for similar reasons.
I cannot claim to know the fate of your dear child. Truly, I do not know. I do trust God to be true to Justice. Mercy and Justice are much related, so just because I mention Justice does not mean Mercy is not near at hand. I do not think God’s way are our ways, though. It is God who will enact true Justice. I am a human. I cannot say what his idea of Justice is. That is my answer to you, I cannot say for sure, but whatever it is, it will be Just. He will not overlook any aspect.
However, if you want my silly human opinion, I tend to wonder if St. Augustine might not have something valuable to say, so I’m on the outs with most everyone here. (He is known for a “harsh” answer in this situation…) But I have not thought upon the issue for years. I read him long ago. If I went back and pursued the matter with diligence at this time, I don’t know if I would tend the same or reject everything he says out of hand. I grew up having vast troubles understanding hell (I was raised by a Universalist) and it has been a hard road to come to grips with many aspects of Church teaching. This past perhaps colors how I answer questions. I probably have not come to live with it all by the same route as another would.
But what I think hardly matters to anyone. Listen to what the Church tells you and trust God, who is ever faithful.
