Any one find it strange that the Pope doesn't know?

Question

where unbaptised babies go when they die? Are they going to roll dice for the answer or pray for God to give them a sign? Absurd or logical? What do you think?

http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/87808,CST-NWS-limbo08.article

VATICAN CITY -- Vatican theologians are leaning toward revising centuries-old teaching that babies who die without baptism go to limbo instead of heaven.
''All of us have hope for the babies'' that they will go to heaven, under the revised thinking on limbo, said the Rev. Luis Ladaria, a Jesuit who is secretary-general of the Vatican's International Theological Commission.

No formal Catholic doctrine - The commission, which advises the pope, has spent the week debating limbo in view of preparing a document. Although Catholics have long believed that children who die without being baptized still have original sin and are thus excluded from heaven, the church has no formal doctrine on the matter.

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Answer 1

that's alot of babies going to limbo. do you really want to believe in a god that does that? there's 6.4 billion people in the world as of the end of 2005 and 2.1 are christians....come on...

Answer 2

The Pope is a man. Holy yes, but only infallible with all the other Cardinal of Bishops where St. Peter is.

Many philosophers wrestle with idea's that cannot finitely be determined; and till we get a stronger message from God, we can only create theories. Is this any different than scientist's arguing over weather the "Big Bang" happened or didn't happen? No, it is simply Catholics exploring a part of our religious faith.

Here is what the Catechism of the Catholic Church officially says, " 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," 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." <1>

Answer 3

Saying "I don't know," sounds very honest to me.

Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved." (Mark 16:15-16)

For centuries, people have wondered about children who died before they were baptized.

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.

Would you rather the Church make something up?

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

I don't find it strange at all. It's a mystery as to how God handles that situation. But I assure you that He does it in a way that He sees fit. And no I don't 'think' He would condemn an innocent child. What's your purpose for asking? Do you want to learn more about God? I really hope this wasn't an attempt to mock Catholicism, as that would show only a lack of intelligence(to mock the Lord Jesus Christ and ALL of His children, all in one fell swoop).

EDIT* And I thought I'd point out that agree or disagree, people know what they're getting from me. I don't hide or veil my comments. It's Jesus that I believe in. However, I've now discovered that you think Jesus was the ultimate hater!!! Yes, I researched and found out that you agree with that statement. So now I really wonder why you are asking. Was it to only put DOUBT in Catholics minds? To hurt people. Maybe you don't realize what you are doing. Sooo KB.....What really is your agenda.

Answer 5

Where Do People Go at Death?

A popular view among churchgoers of Christendom is that at death people go either to heaven or to hell. But what does the Bible say about this? It states: “For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not any thing.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5, The Holy Scriptures, According to the Masoretic Text) So the dead know nothing. They are not living somewhere but are literally and completely dead. They are conscious of nothing.

This fact is confirmed by these statements in the Bible book of Psalms: “The dead themselves do not praise Jah, nor do any going down into silence.” (Psalm 115:17) “Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs. His spirit goes out, he goes back to his ground; in that day his thoughts do perish.”—Psalm 146:3, 4.

But what about the soul? Is it not immortal? No. Contrary to what most people believe, the soul is not immortal. This fact is plainly stated in the Bible, which says: “The soul that is sinning—it itself will die.” (Ezekiel 18:4, 20) Further confirmation of this is found at Acts 3:23, which says: “Indeed, any soul that does not listen to that Prophet [Jesus] will be completely destroyed.”

Is Death the End of Everything?

Death is not necessarily the end of everything. The resurrection of the dead is plainly taught in the Scriptures. Jesus said: “Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:28, 29) Furthermore, Jesus actually resurrected certain persons during his ministry on earth. The most amazing case was that of Jesus’ friend Lazarus. He had been dead for four days. But when Jesus cried out: “Lazarus, come on out!” the dead man responded, coming out of the tomb. What a thrill for the observing crowd! And what a joyful event for Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus!—John 11:38-45.

Where had Lazarus been during those four days? In heaven? In Limbo? No. The Bible does not say this or indicate it. If Lazarus had been conscious somewhere, surely he would have told others about this. But as the Bible says: “The dead know nothing.”—Ecclesiastes 9:5, The Jerusalem Bible.

Answer 6

Thank you for researching this topic on our behalf. Should you find the time to read the true teachings of Christ, feel free to click on "Rational Spirituality" on the Dhaxem website.

May I admit that since I have become familiar with this knowledge, I pass by any of the controversies in the dogma, with a smile.

Hope it may be of some interest to you, too.

Answer 7

Since God has never directly addressed the issue in scripture or otherwise, nobody knows.

The commisison is simply trying to deal with the issue, now that abortion is such a major problem in the world.

It's your attitude that's truly absurd.

Answer 8

Sounds like the commission is in limbo.

They should look around and see if there are any babies there.

Answer 9

There is no limbo there is no purgatory. Earth,Heaven and Hell. Children who have not reached the age of reason are in heaven. Read the Bible.

Answer 10

Since when do human beings decide who goes to heaven and who does not??!