The Limbo of the Infants is *itself* not a dogma of the Church but a theological opinion. The Church entrusts such children to the"mercy of God" in CCC 1261. See below. I do, however, wish I'd made it clear in my hypothetical example that I have in mind non-Christian parents and child. If these parents were to convert later, they could only conclude--according to Feeney--that their child was consigned to hell, not Heaven (since even the "Limbo of the Infants" is in hell). But that's not what the Church teaches. We CAN hope for the salvation of the innocent and unbaptized.
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,"64 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.
Lionel :
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment