Limbo and the Baptism of Children
Recently I wrote an article, “When to Call the Priest,” to help people understand the change of understanding from Extreme Unction/Last Rites to the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Today I would like to offer some thoughts on the Baptism of children and the question of limbo.
For centuries, unfortunately, the common understanding was that babies who died without being baptized spent eternity in limbo. Limbo was not Heaven but neither was it the pains of Hell.
In 2005-2006, the Internal Theological Commission researched the church’s understanding of limbo (see “The Hope of Salvation for Infants Who Die Without Being Baptised”. My reflection today will center on the introduction of this Vatican document. You can read the document yourself for a more detailed and complete understand). Their work was approved by the Holy Father in 2007. Their work did not change church teaching. Their conclusion was that it was never official church teaching that unbaptized babies who died spent eternity in limbo. It was a common understanding but not official church teaching.
Does this mean that Baptism is not necessary? No, rather as the Catechism of the Catholic Church, written in 1992 before this document from the International Theological Commission says in paragraph 1261, we entrust infants who die without Baptism to the mercy of God.
If there is no such thing as limbo and we can entrust infants who die without baptism to the mercy of God, one might find the baptism of children unnecessary. This would fit with those who say they want their children to be able to decide for themselves what they believe. While we can absolute faith in the mercy of God, we should not take it for granted.
There is distinction between an infant who dies at birth without the parents, who eagerly anticipated having their infant baptized, but did not have any opportunity to have their new child baptized and a infant who dies when there was an opportunity for the parents to have their infant baptized but don’t because they are atheists. In the former, I have absolutely no doubt that God will welcome that infant into Heaven. The parents had no opportunity but that lack of opportunity cannot stand in the way of God’s mercy. In the latter case, the parents made a choice. When we make a choice, there can be consequences to our choice. Does this mean that the second infant will not be welcomed into the Heaven? I leave that to the mercy of God. The parents may have chosen to be atheists but only God knows what was in that child’s heart. (See paragraph 28 of “The Hope of Salvation for Infants Who Die Without Being Baptised”)
When the child is older and has the opportunity to learn about God, their choices will effect where they will spend eternity. Until then, the mercy of God should not be doubted. A grandparent who laments that their young grandchild has not been baptized should and can trust in the mercy of God. The grandparent can pray for their grandchild, trusting in the mercy of God, while trying to be a good Christian witness to their grandchild.
Does this mean that Baptism is unnecessary?
No! As paragraph 1257 of the Catechism says, Jesus himself tells us to baptize all nations (see Matthew 28:19-20). Baptism is the gateway to the Sacraments. Baptism offers us the beginnings of grace. Once we have received Baptism, we can receive the other Sacraments. Each Sacrament is a reception of grace and an encounter with the Lord.
Thus, Baptism is not a token ceremony. In Baptism we are marked with an indelible mark as a child of God. The stain of original sin is removed. Yes, the Church still believes in original sin. In Baptism, we receive the Holy Spirit.
This gift of the Holy Spirit is no small matter. Evil is real. We need the Holy Spirit and God’s grace offered in the Sacraments if we are to enter Heaven. Baptism does not make Heaven a guarantee.
If a child is baptized and dies before reaching the age of reason, there can be no doubt of their salvation. Once we reach the age of reason, we become culpable for our actions. We should never take the mercy of God for granted. If we freely choose to live contrary to God’s way, we face Hell as the consequences of our actions. We must always strive to follow Jesus.
Will we?
At times we are weak and fail in the battle against temptation. Do not fear! God offers us forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. How many times can we be forgiven? As many times as we truly repent (see Matthew 18:21-22).
God wants each and every one of us to be in Heaven. As we read in John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.“
However, God lets us make a choice. We can choose to follow him or not. Do not take this lightly! The battle against evil is real. Fr. Dwight Longenecker writes on this battle in his book, Immortal Combat: Confronting the Heart of Darkness (Manchester, NH: Sophia Institute Press. 2020). I encourage you to read the book for yourself. Until then, here are three articles I wrote after I read the book myself.
Do not be troubled. Jesus prepares a place in his Father’s House for us (John 14:1-2). Jesus makes salvation possible for all who believe in him as the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6).
If you have ever lost an unbaptized child to death, do not worry. God eagerly welcomed that child into his kingdom. As to your own salvation, if you have sinned, you too can be assured of a place in Heaven if you repent and confess your sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Peace,
Fr. Jeff