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Contrary to the Media Circus,
Limbo “Remains a Possible Theological Opinion”
Luiz Sérgio Solimeo
Liberal media recently proclaimed to the
world that the Church had abandoned the notion of limbo
and adopted a new one sustaining that children who die without
baptism go to heaven. This opinion was seen in thousands
of headlines which created an almost circus-like atmosphere
for these grave theological matters.
However, when analyzing the actual document,
one will not find what has been so superficially and simplistically
reported. In fact, the study just published by the International
Theological Commission, The Hope of Salvation for Infants
Who Die Without Being Baptized, does not permit such
a conclusion.[1]
“The theory of
Limbo remains a possible theological opinion”
Instead, the study expressly states
that the theory on limbo, though having “never entered
into the dogmatic definition of the Magisterium….
it remains a possible theological hypothesis.”[2]
And the study insists: “The theory of limbo …
remains a possible theological opinion…”[3]
The limbo theory, the study notes,
“has for so long been regarded as the common doctrine
of the Church.”[4] “In the Church’s tradition,
the affirmation that children who died unbaptized are deprived
of the beatific vision has for a long time been ‘common
doctrine.”[5] Just how long? The report says it “was
the common Catholic teaching until the mid-twentieth century.”[6]
Pius VI defended the
right of Catholic schools to teach the Limbo theory
In a long historic-dogmatic exposition,
the study of the Theological Commission insists that the
Magisterium of the Church never made a solemn and definitive
pronouncement about the limbo of children, though it often
referred to limbo, or to the idea, by name.
However, we can conclude from the
same exposition, that the Magisterium, above all, never
said anything against that theological concept, but on the
contrary, defended its legitimacy when attacked.
For instance, we read in the study
that, “when the Jansenist Synod of Pistoia (1786)
denounced the medieval theory of limbo, Pius VI defended
the right of the Catholic schools to teach that those who
died with the guilt of original sin alone are punished with
the lack of the beatific vision (‘punishment of loss’),
but not sensible pains (the punishment of ‘fire’).”[7]
Dangers of an absolute
a priori reasoning
At the same time, while the study
calls for a new approach to the subject, it warns against
the dangers of a priori reasoning claiming admission into
heaven for unbaptized children. Such aprioristic reasoning
would destroy the gratuity of the supernatural order, thus
renewing the Pelagian heresy that nature requires grace
and that God, having created intelligent beings, would be
obliged in justice to give them supernatural life and eternal
happiness.
Thus, referring to the Encyclical
Humani Generis published by Pope Pius XII in 1950 against
the errors of naturalist theological currents, the study
says:
“Pius XII had vigorously brought
this [the gratuity of the supernatural order] to the consciousness
of the Church by explaining that one destroys the gratuity
of the supernatural order if one asserts that God could
not create intelligent beings without ordaining and calling
them to the beatific vision.”[8]
The study quotes Pius XII again
for in 1958, in the Allocution to Italian Midwives,
he was even more specific in speaking about children who
die without baptism:
“The state of grace is absolutely necessary for salvation:
Without it supernatural happiness, the beatific vision of
God, cannot be attained. In an adult an act of love may
suffice to obtain him sanctifying grace and so supply for
the lack of baptism; to the child still unborn or newly
born this way is not open.”[9]
Not a new theory, but
a hope
However, the study says, “besides
the theory of limbo (which remains a possible theological
opinion), there can be other ways to integrate and safeguard
the principles of the faith grounded in Scripture ….
These other ways are not achieved by modifying the principles
of the faith or by elaborating hypothetical theories; rather,
they seek an integration and coherent reconciliation of
the principles of the faith …. by giving more weight
to God’s universal salvific will …. in order
to account for the hope that infants dying without baptism
could enjoy eternal life in the beatific vision.”[10]
Therefore, the study by the International
Theological Commission does not propose a new theological
theory parallel or opposed to that of limbo, but merely
presents a hope that some mysterious way may exist whereby
God takes unbaptized children to heaven.
After presenting the theological
and liturgical reasons to nourish such a hope, the study
closes:
“Our conclusion is that the
many factors that we have considered above give serious
theological and liturgical grounds for hope that unbaptized
infants who die will be saved and enjoy the beatific vision.
We emphasize that these are reasons for prayerful hope rather
than grounds for sure knowledge.”[11]
Moreover, the International Theological
Commission warns that its study cannot serve as a basis
to deny the need for baptism or delay its administration
to children.
It is clear that in spite of the
sensationalism with which the media handled this matter,
neither has the Church abolished the theological notion
of limbo, nor has the International Theological Commission
recommended that this be done.
One remains entirely free, therefore,
to adhere to the common theory, which carries the weight
of a long tradition and the authority of many Doctors of
the Church, including Saint Thomas Aquinas.
As Sister Sara Butler, an International
Theological Commission member, declared to the magazine
Inside the Vatican: “The report concludes
that limbo remains a ‘possible theological opinion.’
Anyone who wants to defend it is free to do so.”
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