Puzzle of Children Who Die Outside of Baptism

Children, born or unborn, who die without baptism of water, can they  reach the beatific vision in heaven?. This question has been debated for centuries and gave rise to the theological concept called "limbo" which, although well known, is not and never was the dogma of the Church.

While the Magisterium of the Church has not made itself clear on this issue, there are principles of Catholic doctrine to be taken into account. The Second Council of Lyons (1274) and the Council of Florence (1438-1445) explicitly define that those who die in "only original sin" (the sin every human being is born with)  (vel Peccato originali only) do not reach  Heaven.

But in many cases the lack of baptism is not neglect or rejection. We know that, according to the universal salvific will of God, somehow He gives everyone the opportunity to reach Paradise. We must therefore consider the words of Vatican II in the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church:

Those who, through no fault of their own , do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart and, moved by Grace, try through their actions to do His will, as know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation "(Lumen Gentium, 16) The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches

"As for the children who die without Baptism, the Church can only entrust to divine mercy, as she does in her funeral rites for them. Indeed, the great mercy of God who wants all men to be saved (cf. 1 Tim 2.4) and the tenderness of Jesus with children, which made ​​him say: "Let the children come to me, forbid them not "(Mark 10:14), let us hope that there is a way of salvation for children who die without baptism. So the more urgent is the Church's call not to prevent little children coming to Christ through the gift of holy Baptism. "  Catechism 1261

As to when a child should be baptized, the Roman ritual  says, "The main consideration is the welfare of the child  , which should not be deprived of the benefit of the sacrament." Hence, "if the child   is in danger of death, should be baptized without delay."

What about children who die without baptism?
Respones of the  theologian Peter Gumpel, SJ

Where in the Heavens are the souls of children who die before birth or soon after, and therefore before being baptized? Where do the children aborted go? 

"According to Catholic doctrine, everyone is born with original sin, no one can enter into the beatific vision does not exceed the original sin. The normal way is to be baptized, is an infallible way to ensure full happiness in the beatific vision "

- But what happens to those who die without baptism?

Theologian Gumpel says: Although the answer has been given different opinions, the supreme magisterium of the Church offers precise documents and statements.

In particular, in the struggle between Augustine and Pelagius, the latter denied original sin, while Augustine, Doctor of the Church, asserted its existence. At the time of St. Augustine, there was the doctrine according to which, outside the Church, no salvation, so that non-baptized adults or newborns, it was believed could not enter the vision of salvation.

In this context, Augustine speaks of children who die without baptism and believes that their  destiny is hell, saying they are subject to the flames of hell, but adds that they are "mitigated flames." Given this answer is so hard, the problem arises if St. Augustine did not considered a substitution for baptism by water.by,for example,  the baptism of desire.

Catechumens who had shown their willingness to enter into the Church through baptism, perhaps could be saved. Also catechumens not baptized with water, but who suffered martyrdom for their faith in Christ, could undoubtedly be saved. In this case, we introduce the concept of baptism of blood.



Later, Saint Thomas Aquinas proposed a different view from that of St. Augustine.

Professor Gumpel says: Yes. Aquinas and the Scholastics abandon the theory of St. Augustine that unbaptized infants go to hell, even  in  the  mitigated form, and build an intermediate form, known as "limbo." It is a theological construct to explain the situation of human beings die and yet are not in Heaven. 

- The theory of limbo, have you ever been presented by the Church as a matter of faith?

- Gumpel: In 1954, I conducted a comprehensive study to consider, which examined all the arguments for the view expressed by the infallible magisterium done with authority. I studied all the ecumenical councils, and came to the conclusion that "limbo" is not a mandatory. It was a view that has been repeated over time, without reaching a critical historical examination by the ecumenical councils.


- What to say about this topic in the Catechism of the Catholic Church?

- Gumpel: 'The Catechism of the Catholic Church, published in 1992, dedicates  the children who die without baptism,   can expect to reach the beatific vision.

This is an extremely important element, which opens the way to a more open view, and it is a statement of the ordinary Magisterium of the Church. We can not say with certainty who will be saved. We can expect, and the fact that we can expect, as the Catechism says, is the essential element.  

- What is the basis for this hope?

- Gumpel: 'The first consideration you need to do is, consider every human being, even if an embryo or fetus in the womb, as part of the human family and, ontologically, in its being, has a relationship with all men and, therefore, also with Jesus Christ, who is the head of the new humanity, the new Adam.

By Scripture, we know the saving will of God. Christ is the redeemer of all and wants everyone to be saved. Moreover, Christ founded the Church, a visible body, and has instituted the sacrament of baptism. And, being an infallible baptism, we must make every effort to baptize people.

But what about those who, through no one's fault, can not receive the baptism of water?There must be another way to keep God's saving plan.

 
 

- Why did the Pope  ask  the International Theological Commission to deepen the study?

- Gumpel: Today the problem is more complex because the laws that have legalized abortion, many children who might have desired baptism have been killed before this could happen.

 It is the ultimate  mystery of the soul and its destiny.

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