St. Augustine and catechumens

[Mr.Blank1.5]

This is a quote that many Feeney supporters always use:
"How many rascals are saved by being baptized on their deathbeds? And how many sincere catechumens die unbaptized, and are thus lost forever!
This quote is supposedly from one of Augustine’s “sermones” according to F. Van Der Meer’s book “Augustine the Bishop”. So what does this mean in light of Augustine’s other quotes that support baptism of desire? (I’m not a Feeneyite if you’re wondering).

 

[DavidFilmer]

This is a quote that many Feeney supporters always use:
"How many rascals are saved by being baptized on their deathbeds? And how many sincere catechumens die unbaptized, and are thus lost forever!

The quote is accurate. Augustine goes on to say,

No matter what progress a catechumen may make, he still carries the burden of iniquity, and it is not taken away until he has been baptized.

So what does this mean in light of Augustine’s other quotes that support baptism of desire?

It’s quite simple: Augustine changed his mind. And, keep in mind, this question had not been defined by the Church.

A few years after writing the above quote, in a treatise specifically about (and titled) “Baptism,” Augustine cites the “good thief” who was assured salvation by Our Lord, but was not baptized. He says

Considering this over and over again, I find that not only the suffering for the name of Christ can supply for that which is lacking by way of Baptism, but even faith and conversion of heart, if, perhaps, because of the circumstances of the time, recourse cannot be had to the celebration of the Mystery of Baptism.

The way he says, “Considering this over and over again…” shows that he has reconsidered his earlier position.

In this treatise, he specifically cites catechumens:

I do not hesitate to put the Catholic catechumen, burning with divine love, before a baptized heretic… The centurion Cornelius, not yet baptized, was better than Simon, already baptized. For Cornelius, even before his baptism, was filled up with the Holy Spirit, while Simon, even after his baptism, was puffed up with an unclean spirit.

Even ECFs change their minds sometimes.