Will "original sin" now be dropped from Roman Catholic dogma?

Question

Papa Ratzi has decided there is no such thing as limbo. Now all children go to heaven, whether baptised or not. If that's the case, can the Roman Catholic Church continue to believe in original sin?

If so, how does that tie in with unbaptised children haveing none?

Answer 1

It started with commentary by Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa in January. "I must confess that the mere idea of a God eternally depriving an innocent creature of his vision simply because another person has sinned, or because of an accidental miscarriage, makes me shudder … and I am sure would make any unbeliever happy to stay away from the Christian faith. If hell consists essentially in the deprivation of God, limbo is hell!"

I must say I was shocked and encouraged. Limbo was never declared a fact ex cathedra, but was a theological hypothesis created in response to Augustine's doctrine of original sin. That doctrine is a huge, huge stumbling block. If they do cast it away they will go a long way toward removing an anathema from my favorite Christian teacher, Pelagius.

Pelagius insisted, quite reasonably, that the doctrine of original sin impugned God's justice, and that an infant was in no position to assure it received the sacraments, certainly in no position to willfully refuse them, so to sentence an infant to hell for not being baptized into Christ made God a monstrous and heartless beast. Pelagius also was the originator of sola fide long before Luther. His theses ran as follows:

1. Even if Adam had not sinned, he would have died.
2. Adam's sin harmed only himself, not the human race.
3. Children just born are in the same state as Adam before his fall, and are not excluded from heaven if not baptized.
4. The whole human race neither dies through Adam's sin or death, nor rises again through the resurrection of Christ.
5. The (Mosaic Law) is as good a guide to heaven as the Gospel.
6. Even before the advent of Christ there were men who were without sin.
7. Forgiveness for sins requires only faith in God's faithfulness to forgive confessed sin. He wasn't big on penance.

I've read reconstructions of his theology and I must say I see why even his opponents like Augustine loved him, corresponded with him regularly and called him a saintly man even as they opposed his doctrines. If his common sense and humane view of God had prevailed in the church I'd probably be a Catholic myself. There may be hope for the RCC yet.

Answer 2

Nothing is ever dropped from or added to Catholic doctrine. That's the beauty of having the fullness of truth.

Limbo was never an official part of Catholic doctrine. It was a popular idea that grew up among Catholics as a possible explanation for the apparent conflict between the biblical teaching that no-one can enter the kingdom without baptism, and the obvious fact that young children are completely innocent of personal sin. Today the Church discourages belief in Limbo since it is not really Catholic doctrine. Regarding the eternal salvation of unbaptized infants and young children who die, the Church takes no absolute position, since this has not been revealed by God. The Church simply says "we entrust them to the mercy of God", which is about all one can say under the circumstances.

Answer 3

Catholic Doctrine has continued to develop, particularly since Vatican II but has always been subject to interpretation. This is where the concept of Papal infallibility comes into play. When the church is faced with a doctrinal challenge, the pope may make an infallible statement of interpretation. It certainly does not, as implied by JT, mean that the pope cannot make a mistake in every day matters.

KB , to respond to your Papa Ratzi reference, may I point out that the historical protestant hero on which you model yourself was an asthmatic dwarf (possibly gay) whose army was funded in part by the Vatican and who was protected by the exclusively Catholic Dutch Blue Guard.

Answer 4

It's a long time since 'Limbo' was dropped from Catholic Doctrine.
Original Sin (the First sin),is simply the reason for the expulsion of Adam and Eve from The Garden of Eden.
As their descendants, we share in that sin.

Answer 5

When a particular denomination can just add and delete doctrine at will doesn't it go to show the many Catholics around the world that the Catholic doctrine is not Scriptural.
The Bible is the same for all of us so why is it that some try to mislead the followers?
People.....please read the Bible for yourselves so that you will not be led astray.

Answer 6

Limbo was suggested as the place where unbaptized babies went when they died. This idea was never official Church doctrine and has be rejected.

The church now says that it is not sure what happens to unbaptized babies when they die but she entrusts them to the mercy of God.

The doctrine of Original Sin will probably not be dropped.

With love in Christ.

Answer 7

You are not supposed to baptize babies and children under the age of accountibility. When they reach the age of accountibility, they know the difference between right and wrong, and what a sin is in the eyes of God. Baptism is what comes after you accepted Jesus as your savior and turned your life over to Him.
Baptism with out salvation, is just getting yourself wet for nothing. Baptism will not get you into heaven.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Answer 8

Actually,I believe the Catholics reformed their beliefs about "limbo" during the Vatican 2 council which happened in the early sixties. That would be during Pope John XXIII time as the Bishop of Rome.
At least get your history right.

Answer 9

Water baptism doesn't save anyone's soul. It's only an outward show of what should have suppose to taken place in the heart. Why baptize a baby anyway. I can see dedicating a baby to the Lord, but baptizing?

Answer 10

The only limbo is the limbo stick...

Jesus said that the Kingdom of God belongs to the children