Can the Pope say Limbo no longer exists?

Question

I found it interesting that the Pope announced that the Christian concept of Limbo no longer exists. I know some who have accepted Limbo as an actual reality from God, so how is it that Christians are now to believe a man decided limbo no longer exists?

Here's the story I read: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-1897480,00.html

I'm interested in hearing what Christians have to say about this.

Darn it - I meant to say Catholics, not Christians. My mistake.

Answer 1

The fact is that the concept of "Limbo" was merely a theological construct of the middel ages and was never a defined doctrine of the church.

There are a number of good reasons to properly deal with the issue of the death of the unbaptized today, particularly the widespread practice of abortion.

No one knows what really happens to those who die before they have a chance to be baptized, or before they have a chance to declare their faith in Jesus Christ, and anyone who claims otherwise is a liar.

This commission was a good faith, properly convened effort to clarify a subject which has perplexed humankind for thousands of years, and for which there is still no definite answer.

The many ridiculous comments and criticisms posted here serve to clearly illustrate that fact.

Answer 2

what an atheist has to say about the deliberations of the Roman Catholic Church on the doctrine of limbo:

"Can we even conceive of a project more intellectually forlorn than this? Just imagine what these deliberations must be like. Is there the slightest possiblity that someone will present evidence indicating the eternal fate of unbaptized children after death? How can any educated person think this anything but a hilarious, terrifying and unconscionable waste of time? When one considers the fact that this is the very institution that has produced and sheltered an elite army of child molesters, the whole enterprise begins to exude a truly diabolical aura of misspent human energy."

Answer 3

do u really think that limbo exist?
u know some who accepted limbo as an actual reality from God and it seems to me that they are God fearing people, but the so called limbo faith was not derived from the bible nor was it biblical, and the so called pope though head of the catholic religion/faith does not represent the Christians for i dont think that catholics are Christians.

Answer 4

Well, it's almost forty years since Chubby Checker hit with 'Limbo Rock' - but it's a bit premature to say it doesn't exist. I was at a frat party the other day and they were still limboing...

Perhaps that's just wishful thinking on the Pope's part...

Answer 5

most Christians do not know of limbo I did not hear of it before this time and never believed in purgatory these are catholic concepts not christian certainly not from the bible.
if it was from God of course the pope could not change it. but it is not real was never of God just a catholic form or control. you must have you baby's christened or God will leave them in limbo I think not. you have a misconception of Christian not all Christians are catholic and in my opinion most catholics do not know Christ as Savior and so are not Christian

Answer 6

"Vatican sources said yesterday that the commission would recommend that Limbo be replaced by the more “compassionate” doctrine that all children who die do so “in the hope of eternal salvation”."

Boy... could they be a little more vague, maybe? “In the hope of eternal salvation”? What is that supposed to mean, anyway? They died hoping for salvation? They died and we hope they get salvation? They don't get salvation but we wished they did? *sigh* Just another way to pretend like you were right, once the outcome is revealed.

Answer 7

limbo is the state in which a child goes when it is not baptised before it dies. it like heaven, does not exist. if it existed, that would mean god existed. which he doesn't. else, if god existed, why haven't i been smited for my many sins that i have commited in the last 15 years eh?

Answer 8

I think it's up to people to believe what they want. If the Pope announces something, it shouldn't really dictate to everyone else involved what they should or should not believe. I think Faith should be enough of an answer.

Answer 9

Early popes conceived of limbo, and this one decided it was ill-conceived - a somewhat maculate conception, if you will.

Answer 10

When you look at the history of the Catholic church they are wrong about most things. If I stated that 5 centuries ago they would have most likely killed and tortured me.