The Question of the Salvation of Infants Who Die Without Baptism

Hope for the salvation of infants who die without baptism | Fr. Kenneth Baker, S.J. | August-September 2010 | Homiletic & Pastoral Review

A constant theological problem, at least since the time of Augustine, is the question of the salvation of infants who die without baptism. Many solutions to the problem have been proposed, such as: they are in hell but not seriously punished (Augustine), they are in “limbo,” which is a state of natural happiness but no vision of God, or they go to heaven because of the prayers of the Church or the faith of their parents.

The most common answer to this problem since the time of St. Thomas Aquinas is that they go to Limbo, where they will be happy forever but do not enjoy the face-to-face vision of God. The existence of Limbo has been taught in Catholic schools for centuries and it has been included in many approved catechisms. Since the middle of the twentieth century, however, many doubts have been raised about the existence of Limbo. One result is that, in recent years, it is rarely mentioned.

The question about the eternal destiny of infants who die without baptism is a serious one, especially today, when there are tens of millions of abortion performed each year.

Any answer to this question that offers hope of salvation for these infants must be in accord with certain truths of the faith that are undisputed. They are: 1) the universality of original sin; 2) the absolute necessity of baptism (water, or blood, or desire); 3) no one can enter eternal life with sin on his soul—either original sin or personal mortal sin. So the question is: If these unbaptized infants attain eternal salvation without baptism, how can that be since baptism is absolutely necessary as a necessity of means? How are they cleansed of original sin? Is there some other way of salvation that has not been revealed to us by Jesus and the Holy Spirit?

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Comments

[joe]

Wow! A priest willing to speak forthrightly on an issue so many people want to sentimentalize away. He has my immense respect.

[Brad Birzer]

Thanks for posting this, Carl. It hits a little close to home, but it is quite thought provoking.

[JKE]

Our FSSP priest spoke on this very topic yesterday during his sermon. He prefaced his teaching by saying, "Better to hear painful truths than soothing lies."

[Kevin C.]

Is the 'Next' link at the bottom of the page supposed to lead to more of this article? It seems to end rather abruptly.

[Sharon]

I had a long discussion with a woman from Rachael’s Vineyard on this topic on the Catholic Answers Forum. She insisted that unbaptised infants are with the Lord and cited from Evangelium Vitae 99 to prove it. At the time of my original research there were two different English translations of EV 99 on the Vatican Website and all other languages had what I believe to be the incorrect translation as did EWTN and the USCCB website. The late Cardinal Lopez Trujillo also used what I believe is the incorrect translation.

http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0141/__P10.HTM

A.The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
. You will come to understand that nothing is definitively lost and you will also be able to ask forgiveness from your child, who is now living in the Lord. With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people, and as a result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone's right to life.

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25031995_evangelium-vitae_en.html

B ..The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To the same Father and his mercy you can with sure hope entrust your child. With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people, and as a result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone's right to life.

As you can see the differences in the key sentence for the same document, both from the Vatican website, give very different meanings. One gives the impression that the aborted preborn is definitely in heaven and the other would agree with the CCC and the latest document published that we must hope and trust in the mercy of God. B agrees with the official Latin translation.

The assurance of an unbaptised child attaining the beatific vision could have another unintended consequence. A mother who was convinced that her unborn child would have a terrible life on earth might be tempted to send that child to heaven before birth knowing that all she had to do was to go to confession and have the sin forgiven but at least the child will be with God.

[Christopher Milton]

Since we baptise infants and allow the parents to speak of their will and desire to be baptised, would that not also apply to the child who dies before baptism?

My son is due to be baptised on Saturday. His mother and I greatly desire it, should he perish before Saturday, would our desire be enough for a baptism of desire?