Re Theology of Limbo and the All Embracing Scope of God's Mercy

[BarbaraTherese]

I’m putting this into the Spirituality Forum because it reflects a deeper insight into the all embracing scope of our theology of The Mercy of God and thus the all embracing (ideally) scope of our Hope, investing in our Faith and trust in God’s Mercy.

catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?recnum=7529
International Theological Commission Document: The Hope of Salvation for Infants Who Die Without Being Baptized

From a theological point of view, the development of a theology of hope and an ecclesiology of communion, together with a recognition of the greatness of divine mercy, challenge an unduly restrictive view of salvation. In fact, the universal salvific will of God and the correspondingly universal mediation of Christ mean that all theological notions that ultimately call into question the very omnipotence of God, and his mercy in particular, are inadequate.
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.

For a summary of the Int. Theological Commission document:

cathnews.com/news/801/13.php
"Unbaptised children out of limbo, Benedict rules "

From Aust. Catholic News - and conclusion of the text on
cathnews.com/news/801/13.php

SOURCE
Catholic Church buries limbo after centuries (Reuters, 20/4/07)
Vatican reconsiders limbo for unbaptised babies (Irish Examiner, 20/4/07)
Vatican Abolishes Limbo (Sydney Morning Herald, 21/4/07)

**LINKS **(not necessarily endorsed by Church Resources)
Limbo (Wikipedia)
Limbo (Catholic Encyclopaedia 1910)
International Theological Commission
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

ARCHIVE
Reprieve for limbo after theologians meet (CathNews 9/10/06)
Limbo under threat from Vatican theologians (CathNews 4/10/06)
Vatican theologians to shine “light of God’s mercy” on Limbo conundrum (CathNews 29/11/04)

 

[stbruno]

Thanks for the links. It is especially comforting to me as a parent who lost a child due to miscarriage, that my child, is through the mercy of God in the arms of God until one day, I can hold them myself.

 

[Spirithound]

I’m putting this into the Spirituality Forum because it reflects a deeper insight into the all embracing scope of our theology of The Mercy of God and thus the all embracing (ideally) scope of our Hope, investing in our Faith and trust in God’s Mercy.

I managed to read a couple of your links, and they do a good job of showing that a non-existence of limbo view can be justified somewhat historically. I see the strongest evidence being the Feast of the Holy Innocents.
I am still wary, however, since limbo was originally thought of as a manifestation of God’s mercy, as opposed to circles 3-9 of hell. Are we truly more fully discerning God’s mercy, or are we imposing our definition of mercy on God?
Stbruno, I will pray for your child whom you lost.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Thanks for the links. It is especially comforting to me as a parent who lost a child due to miscarriage, that my child, is through the mercy of God in the arms of God until one day, I can hold them myself.

Hi SB…While married, I lost a couple of babes in pregnancy. It was a great distress to think of them denied Heaven and that I would ever be with them. It just never made sense…if those who have wilfully sinned can be purified in Purgatory, why not innocent babes who have never willfully sinned, rather inherited a sin that was never their fault. It not only did not make sense, it caused questioning back then of a God who was Infinitely Merciful.

Blessings…Barb