Question about death of unbaptized baby

[Zonell]

I’m not sure if this is the right forum, but I need to know the Church’s belief on where the souls of unbaptized babies go after death. I was always taught they went to Limbo, now I need to know for sure.

 

[dshix]

I’m not sure if this is the right forum, but I need to know the Church’s belief on where the souls of unbaptized babies go after death. I was always taught they went to Limbo, now I need to know for sure.

This is a difficult question to answer, and one which has been debated much in the Church’s history.

I have heard that those who die unbaptized but are yet not deserving of Hell (unborn children being an example) end up in a form of Limbo which could be termed the “natural paradise”, where they enjoy happiness, but not the Beatific Vision.

I’m sure others more educated than I will have more to add.

 

[ClearWater]

 

[Tim_D]

Limbo was nothing more than theological speculation and is a position that has been dropped from the Church. The fact is that we don’t know, we won’t ever know and so we just leave it up to God to do what’s right.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

From the Catechisml

1. 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.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

The 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.

See also, from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith:

INTERNATIONAL THEOLOGICAL COMMISSION: “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

 

[USMC_Convert]

I have no proof of my position, however, I would say that unbaptized babies go straight to heaven. Does it help to be baptized, I’m sure, but I think that the baptism is really meant for those who will grow older, it is a mark on our souls that we belong to God. If a baby, who obviously has no fault of his/her own, does not receive baptism then I don’t believe God views them any differently than one that has been baptized.

Would you say a baby that was killed during an abortion was unbaptized and therefore not able to enter into the kingdom of heaven? I would think not, so it is really no different.

My first inclination towards any sort of “proof” of this comes from the Novena of Divine Mercy, but it does fall short of “proof”, I simply have what I believe…

"Sixth Day
Today bring to Me the Meek and Humble Souls and the Souls of Little Children, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence.

Most Merciful Jesus, You yourself have said, “Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart.” Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father’s favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon humble souls, and upon little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen."

My prayers for you my friend, may God help you, guide you, comfort you, take care of you, and bless you.

 

[Jared2914]

As the Catechism says (quoted by others), we don’t know, but because of God’s mercy there is a good chance there is a special path to salvation for them. The angels got to make the choice to love God or reject him for all eternity immediately after their creation. I believe it is very similar for the unborn children. They meet Jesus immediately after death and make a decision to love God or reject God, which they are bound to for all eternity. If true, some of them have chosen to reject God and are in Hell just as some of the angels made that decision. It’s sad but possible. I don’t think anyone can automatically go to heaven. There must always be a free will choice at least once.

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

I understand why you are asking. And I’m so very very sorry. God is merciful much more than we can even imagine.

When we pray the Hail Mary and we ask Her to pray for us at the hour of our death. I’m convinced She does and she’ll bring this little baby to Her Son.

 

[bitterhope]

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me” and I know He is not a liar.

I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers being said for your family. There is no greater pain than the loss of a child. This is a heavy cross, one that Our Blessed Mother carried as well. I’m praying she can bring comfort to you all during this time.

 

[Lorenz_Michael]

The present Church teachings offers us much hope on this, especially in the consideration of the goodness our merciful God.

We are also offered further hope in the Bible. We are shown that there are those in heaven who showed no indication of having a Christian baptism, Enoch, Abraham, Elijah and Moses. John the Baptist is also said to have been the least in heaven, though no indication is given of him being baptised. So it seems that there are at the very least a few unbaptised souls in heaven. Though this is far from being a rule, it still gives hope.

Add to this, that at the Jewish Passover, Christ has descended in to hell and hope that a form of passover now comes to the dead unbaptised to lead them out of captivity is not unreasonable. Especially if we consider Christ speaking of overcoming a strong man and then taking his possessions.

Also, we know from Jude that God sends Michael the Archangel to retrieve the soul of Moses from death, so God if He so chooses may send His Angel to retrieve an unbaptised soul.

We also know that God hears the prayers and cries of a mother for her children in particular, Hagar and Rachel being two examples though in very different circumstances.

From a more personal level, I know of two people who after much lamentation and prayer were given signs of the child being prayed for being in good hands, you could say the best hands, though I’m not at liberty to be specific.

So while these answers are not definitive and cannot give us a guarantee of what God will do, they give us much to hope and pray for.

I advise you to continue to hope and pray for the child, and I pray God gives you a token of comfort, which you are able to recieve in your mourning. As it is said to us who believe, those who mourn will be comforted, and I have found this to be the truth, speaking of what I have known.

Peace+
michaEl?

 

[dshix]

Keep in mind, friends, that even the unborn suffer the consequences of Original Sin.

They CANNOT enjoy the Beatific Vision without having Original Sin lifted and receiving sanctifying grace.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

I’m not sure if this is the right forum, but I need to know the Church’s belief on where the souls of unbaptized babies go after death. I was always taught they went to Limbo, now I need to know for sure.

We can’t know for sure. A person can still hold to the concept of limbo. I do.
For me it is the logical comforting explanation.
However, you can rest assured God is merciful and loving and just.
That fact alone should be answer enough.

 

[USMC_Convert]

Keep in mind, friends, that even the unborn suffer the consequences of Original Sin.

They CANNOT enjoy the Beatific Vision without having Original Sin lifted and receiving sanctifying grace.

Then how do you explain the Saints and Mystics telling us that some Muslims, Jews and all other sorts of people from other religions are in heaven?

I agree baptism is needed, but it also seems to me that God is not constrained by baptism…

 

[pensmama87]

Keep in mind, friends, that even the unborn suffer the consequences of Original Sin.

They CANNOT enjoy the Beatific Vision without having Original Sin lifted and receiving sanctifying grace.

And while God gives us the great gift of the Sacraments, He is not limited by them. Baptism is the ordinary means of removing original sin, but that does not mean that God could not have another way.

I have great trust in God’s love and mercy for these little ones.

 

[dshix]

Then how do you explain the Saints and Mystics telling us that some Muslims, Jews and all other sorts of people from other religions are in heaven?

I agree baptism is needed, but it also seems to me that God is not constrained by baptism…

“Heaven” does not refer to just one place. As I mentioned before, there is a concept of the “natural paradise”, which is a part of Heaven, but within which there is no Beatific Vision.

This “heaven” without the Beatific Vision is the place where those who still have the mark of Original Sin supposedly go.

And while God gives us the great gift of the Sacraments, He is not limited by them. Baptism is the ordinary means of removing original sin, but that does not mean that God could not have another way.

I have great trust in God’s love and mercy for these little ones.

You speak of “limiting”. God does, as a matter of fact, choose to do some things that you would call “limiting” because it is His Will.

It seems that God has given us a very clear theology; Original Sin is real, and the real consequence is separation from God (and thus separation from the Beatific Vision in Heaven). The idea that God would simply act in the way which He ordained by His Divine Law doesn’t mean that God lacks love or mercy if some of his children don’t enjoy the Beatific Vision.

Ultimately, all we can do is speculate, because we actually don’t know if there are other means by which Original Sin can be removed. As of this point, we know of 3 and only 3 ways: Sacramental Baptism, Baptism of Desire, and Baptism of Blood.