Catholics...what happened to Limbo?

Question

Here is another aspect of my "given religion" that just doesn't jive with me. Years ago, if you didn't baptize a baby and then that baby died, the baby couldn't go to heaven. They went to "limbo". Now, setting aside the fact that just using a word like limbo in serious religion is outlandish.....
Limbo wasn't heaven, and it wasn't hell. It was just limbo.
At some point, someone decided that limbo wasn't there anymore. Perhaps the Pope? How can you just change your mind and empty out Limbo on a whim? All of a sudden, one day, the Church decided....no more limbo! Where did the babies go? What happened to limbo? Who decides to just CHANGE religion?

Yes, it does cause me to doubt the validity of organized religion. That is why I primarily am a voodooist.

For Marysia....
If you research New Orleans Voodoo, I think you will find that you are wrong about Catholicism and Voodoo having nothing n common. New Orleans famous Voodoo Queen, Marie LaVeaux attended mass at the Cathedral weekly, and had a special relationship with the preist there. She also reigned over the voodoo ceremonies on Saturdays at Congo Square.

Answer 1

It was a concept that was a round for a long time and it answered the question of "What happens to unbaptized babies if they die before they are baptized?" Infant Limbo was a palce where ONLY unbaptized babies went. It was unique in that they were int he presence and power of God at all times, just they didn't go to where baptized babies and people go, their souls were preserved in their natural state. So the Church came up with a few things. First they gave the right to baptize to evey Roman Cathlolic nurse and doctor, so babies could be baptized when they were born if the parent wanted that. The right was then extended to parents, and eventually to any Roman Catholic who has been baptized and received communion. Around the time of Vatican II the concept of Limbo was set aside and it is now believed that the souls return directly to God.
Limbo on the other hand came into existance after Eve stole the fruit and sinned, original sin blocked all souls from entering Heaven which was why Jesus came to save our souls. His blood was exactly like the blood of the pascal lamb which was used to wash away original sin. Upon His death the gates of Heaven were opened and Limbo ceased to exist.
Some will say it is now Purgatory. It isn't Purgatory. Purgatory is a place, some believe in it some don't, that you go to in order to prepare you for your entrance into Heaven. One can almost think of it like a Finishing School.
Limbo and Infant Limbo were two utterly different concepts.
As for the people who put down the Roman Catholic religion, not to be rude or anything but Saint Peter, the Apostle, who founded the Roman Catholic religion, was given the chagre by Jesus himself to create the Church. He went to Rome and did it there. Other Christian religions have their foundation based off of the Roman Catholic Churches rites and beliefs, and their founders had absolutely no physical contact what so ever with the Earthly Jesus. So, give it some thought as to who's belief you are following. A man charged by Jesus Himself to continue his work, or someone else?

Answer 2

"A Theological U-Turn For the majority of Catholic churchgoers, the idea of Limbo has always been somewhat foggy. In recent decades, it has been gradually fading away—to the point that the notion no longer appears in catechisms. In 2007, the Catholic Church officially signed Limbo’s “death certificate” in a document mentioning “theological and liturgical reasons to hope that infants who die without baptism may be saved and brought into eternal happiness.”—International Theological Commission. Why this change of position, this theological U-turn? Basically, it allowed the church to free itself from what French columnist Henri Tincq called “a burdensome inheritance, defended, from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, by a manipulative Church, only too happy to use the threat of Limbo to incite parents to baptize their children as quickly as possible.” But the demise of Limbo also raises other issues. Tradition or Scripture? Historically, belief in Limbo resulted from 12th-century theological debates relative to purgatory. The Catholic Church taught that the soul survives after death, so it had to find a place for the souls of children who could not go to heaven because they were not baptized but who nonetheless were not deserving of hell. Thus was born the idea of Limbo. The Bible, however, does not teach that the soul survives after death. Instead, it clearly states that rather than being immortal, human souls who sin can be “destroyed” and “shall die.” (Acts 3:23; Ezekiel 18:4, Douay-Rheims Version) Since the soul is mortal, such a place as Limbo cannot exist. Moreover, the Bible speaks of death as being a state of unconsciousness, similar to sleep.—Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10; John 11:11-14. The Bible indicates that God considers holy the young children of Christian parents. (1 Corinthians 7:14) Such a statement would be pointless if the baptism of infants were necessary for their salvation. The teaching of Limbo was truly an insult to God, depicting him as a cruel tyrant who punishes the innocent, rather than the just and loving Father that he is. (Deuteronomy 32:4; Matthew 5:45; 1 John 4:8) No wonder, then, that this unscriptural teaching has always run counter to the common sense of sincere Christians!" The Watchtower 01/06/10, p.10

Answer 3

limbo was a concept and idea a possible explaination in a time where infant mortality was at an all time high. limbo was never an officila doctrine of the Catholic church.
limbo and purgatory are two different concepts. purgatory is based upon biblical scriptures whereas limbo was not.
the church never officially ascribed to limbo, recently yes the pope came out and said - limbo will not be a doctrine as it was being questioned. in their studies and research of scripture, it could not be substantiated. people grow continually but basic tennats do not.

limbo was never an official part of the religion so it was never "changed".

Christianity and voodoo are nothing similar nor have anything in commen.

Answer 4

I come from the Catholic background initially, and I've gotta say that Limbo is one thing I've never quite understood. What I mean is, I don't understand the validity of such a place. Regrettably, things have become doctrine that really have little upholding.

The problem with organized religion is that it's not a relationship with Jesus. Should people stop going to church if they have a relationship with Jesus? No. Should people stop having a relationship with Jesus because they started going to church? Also no. It's that 2nd statement that often gets us on the wrong track when it comes to 'doctrine'.

Answer 5

Limbo was NEVER an official teaching of the Church, so you can't "change" what was never there.

St. Augustine wanted to comfort mothers who had lost their babies in miscarriage, (oh, how evil!) so limbo was an act of compassion, although it was simply theological guesswork, not Church teaching.

As far as the official teaching of the Church goes, for unbaptized babies, she commends them to the mercy of God, as would any non-Catholic church, and there is nothing wrong or sinister in that.

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," 64 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.

Answer 6

OK not to surprise you but limbo was made up along time ago as an idea! Babies are born good. But there is such a place between heaven and hell , IT is earth and the dead can stay on earth. OOP. Why are you asking. You already know about the dead. You know what I'm talking about. Don't mind the evangelical , I think theres more on here than Catholics. The Pope can change his mind anytime he choices too!

Answer 7

I went to Catholic school until 10th grade. It wasn't 'limbo' it was "Purgatory". That is where you went when you didn't go to heaven or hell. I never was taught that you couldn't go to heaven if you weren't baptized. Geez even Charles manson could confess his sins at death and get into heaven. I don't remember why you go to Purgatory but had no idea it didn't exist anymore. Where did you learn that? I really would be interested to know. Any baby that died before baptism would've gone to heaven. They didn't live long enough to become sinners.
I don't attend church anymore - Would LOVE to do a little VooDoo on my Ex. Can you make those dolls and torture him for me?!

Answer 8

Babies and young children do not need to be baptized. Somewhere in the teens we come to an age where we are accountable for our sins. The age is different for each one of us. This is an age when we fully realize right from wrong and when we can control our temptation to do something we know is wrong.

No where in the Bible does it mention babies or children needing to be baptized. Baptism and following Jesus is a choice and we must be old enough to fully understand what we are agreeing to do. A baptism is not real if the parent decides to have the child baptized, it must come from our own hearts and commitment.

Answer 9

Limbo was a construct, based on the mercy of God, but I forget who put it forth. It became popular in some circles, but was never declared doctrine, or anything the faithful must believe. I believe that most theologins have seen that it's merrits are not really there.

Answer 10

Perhaps this should get you to think about the validity of religion in general.

I suspect in time they will allow homosexuality as well. Although this is a good thing in general, it will once again prove how religion is false, but will any of its followers realize it is the question.