Limbo

[Highlyfavored]

It's good the RCC finally came to this conclusion.
I have been sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting for their descision... NOT!

Vatican: Unbaptized infants who die no longer in limbo

Reversing centuries of traditional Catholic teaching, a report says there is hope those babies can go to heaven.
By Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times

ROME - Limbo has been in limbo for quite some time, but is now on its way to extinction.
A Vatican committee that spent years examining the medieval concept Friday published a much-anticipated report, concluding unbaptized babies who die may go to heaven.

That could reverse centuries of Roman Catholic traditional belief that the souls of unbaptized babies are condemned to eternity in limbo, a place that is neither heaven nor hell. Limbo is not unpleasant, but it is not a seat alongside God.

Catholic doctrine states that because all humans are tainted by Original Sin thanks to Adam and Eve, baptism is essential for salvation. But the idea of limbo has fallen out of favor for many Catholics who see it as harsh and not befitting a merciful God.

The Vatican's International Theological Commission issued its findings -- with the approval of Pope Benedict -- in a document published by the Catholic News Service, the news agency of the U.S. Bishops Conference. The commission is advisory, but the pope's endorsement of the document appears to indicate his acceptance of its findings.

Limbo, the commission said, "reflects an unduly restrictive view of salvation."Our conclusion," the commission said in its 41-page report, is that there are "serious theological and liturgical grounds for hope that unbaptized infants who die will be saved and brought into eternal happiness." The commission added that while this is not "sure knowledge," it comes in the context of a loving and just God who "wants all human beings to be saved."

A church decision to abolish limbo has long been expected. Benedict and his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, expressed misgivings about the concept. Never part of formal doctrine because it does not appear in Scripture, limbo was removed from the Catholic Catechism 15 years ago.

From the Latin "limbus," for hem or edge, limbo refers to a "state of natural happiness" outside heaven.

In the 5th century, St. Augustine declared that all unbaptized babies went to hell upon death. By the Middle Ages, the idea was softened to suggest a less severe fate, limbo.

The document published Friday said the question of limbo has become a "matter of pastoral urgency" because of the growing number of babies who do not receive the baptismal rite. Especially in Africa and other parts of the world where Catholicism is growing but has competition from other faiths such as Islam, high infant mortality rates mean many families live with a church teaching them that their babies could not go to heaven.

Catholic conservatives criticized any effort to relegate limbo to oblivion. Removing the concept from church teaching would lessen the importance of baptism and discourage parents from christening their infants, said Kenneth J. Wolfe, a Washington-based columnist for the traditionalist Catholic newspaper the Remnant.

[Robert R. Higby]

In the 5th century, St. Augustine declared that all unbaptized babies went to hell upon death.

Gus was a very RELIGIOUS (superstitious) man, a characteristic that this evil and adulterous generation of leader-worshippers would no doubt commend!

[Ugly_Gaunt_Cow]

So, is this retroactive? What about all those babies from centuries before? How did they come to this conclusion?

[Highlyfavored]

So, is this retroactive? What about all those babies from centuries before? How did they come to this conclusion?

I think it was over a few beers, some chips and a few hands of texas hold em'.

[Saint Nicholas]

Thanks Greg for bringing this article to the forum. My comments will be in red letters.

Vatican: Unbaptized infants who die no longer in limbo If no longer in limbo, where are they now?

Reversing centuries of traditional Catholic teaching, a report says there is hope those babies can go to heaven. After they pass through Purgatory of course
By Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times

ROME - Limbo has been in limbo for quite some time,(so has the Roman Catholic institution, along with her ecumenical friends) but is now on its way to extinction.(Along with the Rome and her ecumenical allies)
A Vatican committee that spent years examining the medieval concept Friday published a much-anticipated report, concluding unbaptized babies who die may go to heaven.( I guess this Pope, who holds the office of the Keys of Peter, finally unclocked the door of Limbo.)

That could reverse centuries of Roman Catholic traditional belief that the souls of unbaptized babies are condemned to eternity in limbo, a place that is neither heaven nor hell.(A place that's neither heaven nor hell? Maybe it's the Twilight Zone?) Limbo is not unpleasant, but it is not a seat alongside God.(Then, what is it?)

Catholic doctrine states that because all humans are tainted by Original Sin thanks to Adam and Eve,( Oh please! you must be joking. What do you mean THANKS TO ADAM AND EVE? Would you not have sinned if you were in the Garden. baptism is essential for salvation.(If you are referring to water, NO WAY! However if you are referring to Holy Spirit Baptism which is regeneration I agree.) But the idea of limbo has fallen out of favor for many Catholics who see it as harsh and not befitting a merciful God.( If you think that's harsh, Try out the teaching of EQUAL ULTIMACY for a while.)

The Vatican's International Theological Commission(Now that sounds scholarly) issued its findings -- with the approval of Pope Benedict -- in a document published by the Catholic News Service, the news agency of the U.S. Bishops Conference. The commission is advisory, but the pope's endorsement of the document appears to indicate his acceptance of its findings.(You mean to tell me that this infallible pope would dare to disagree with previous infallible popes. Who does this guy think he is.)

Limbo, the commission said, "reflects an unduly restrictive view of salvation."(But salvation is restrictive. Not to Limboites, but to reprobates.)Our conclusion," the commission said in its 41-page report,(41 pages? That's a lot a paper to waste. Those poor trees. I wonder what those "Greenpeace" folks are saying to that?) is that there are "serious theological and liturgical grounds for hope(But where does that hope lie in?) that unbaptized infants who die will be saved and brought into eternal happiness."(Saved by whom?) The commission added that while this is not "sure knowledge,"(My my, now that's quite a loophole and cop-out) it comes in the context of a loving and just God who "wants all human beings to be saved."(Hey Billy Graham, did you hear that!!!?)

A church decision to abolish limbo has long been expected. Benedict and his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, expressed misgivings about the concept.(So have millions of martyrs throughout the centuries. What took you guys so long?) Never part of formal doctrine because it does not appear in Scripture,(Agreed) limbo was removed from the Catholic Catechism 15 years ago.(You mean it took almost 2,000 years for Rome to become enlightened?)

From the Latin "limbus," for hem or edge, limbo refers to a "state of natural happiness" outside heaven.(Then why mr. Pope would you want to remove these babes from a"state of natural happiness" and subject them to the pains and agonies of purgatory?)

In the 5th century, St. Augustine declared that all unbaptized babies went to hell upon death.(Hey Gus, so did baptised babies and adults who were not among God's elect.) By the Middle Ages, the idea was softened to suggest a less severe fate, limbo.(Oh! how merciful Rome was. But what about St. Bartholomew's massacre?)

The document published Friday said the question of limbo has become a "matter of pastoral urgency" because of the growing number of babies who do not receive the baptismal rite. Especially in Africa and other parts of the world where Catholicism is growing but has competition from other faiths such as Islam, high infant mortality rates mean many families live with a church teaching them that their babies could not go to heaven.(Now that's pragmatic and political to say the least)

Catholic conservatives criticized any effort to relegate limbo to oblivion. Removing the concept from church teaching would lessen the importance of baptism (Oh don't worry my Catholic friends. The reformed protest-ants will carry on the torch of paedo-baptism. It's their sacrament too.)and discourage parents from christening their infants,(It won't discourage some on this forum. They will continue to defend the sacrament of baptism.) said Kenneth J. Wolfe, a Washington-based columnist for the traditionalist Catholic newspaper the Remnant.
__________________
In Christ
Nicholas

[Highlyfavored]

Thanks Greg for bringing this article to the forum. My comments will be in red letters.

Vatican: Unbaptized infants who die no longer in limbo If no longer in limbo, where are they now?

Reversing centuries of traditional Catholic teaching, a report says there is hope those babies can go to heaven. After they pass through Purgatory of course
By Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times

ROME - Limbo has been in limbo for quite some time,(so has the Roman Catholic institution, along with her ecumenical friends) but is now on its way to extinction.(Along with the Rome and her ecumenical allies)
A Vatican committee that spent years examining the medieval concept Friday published a much-anticipated report, concluding unbaptized babies who die may go to heaven.( I guess this Pope, who holds the office of the Keys of Peter, finally unclocked the door of Limbo.)

That could reverse centuries of Roman Catholic traditional belief that the souls of unbaptized babies are condemned to eternity in limbo, a place that is neither heaven nor hell.(A place that's neither heaven nor hell? Maybe it's the Twilight Zone?) Limbo is not unpleasant, but it is not a seat alongside God.(Then, what is it?)

Catholic doctrine states that because all humans are tainted by Original Sin thanks to Adam and Eve,( Oh please! you must be joking. What do you mean THANKS TO ADAM AND EVE? Would you not have sinned if you were in the Garden. baptism is essential for salvation.(If you are referring to water, NO WAY! However if you are referring to Holy Spirit Baptism which is regeneration I agree.) But the idea of limbo has fallen out of favor for many Catholics who see it as harsh and not befitting a merciful God.( If you think that's harsh, Try out the teaching of EQUAL ULTIMACY for a while.)

The Vatican's International Theological Commission(Now that sounds scholarly) issued its findings -- with the approval of Pope Benedict -- in a document published by the Catholic News Service, the news agency of the U.S. Bishops Conference. The commission is advisory, but the pope's endorsement of the document appears to indicate his acceptance of its findings.(You mean to tell me that this infallible pope would dare to disagree with previous infallible popes. Who does this guy think he is.)

Limbo, the commission said, "reflects an unduly restrictive view of salvation."(But salvation is restrictive. Not to Limboites, but to reprobates.)Our conclusion," the commission said in its 41-page report,(41 pages? That's a lot a paper to waste. Those poor trees. I wonder what those "Greenpeace" folks are saying to that?) is that there are "serious theological and liturgical grounds for hope(But where does that hope lie in?) that unbaptized infants who die will be saved and brought into eternal happiness."(Saved by whom?) The commission added that while this is not "sure knowledge,"(My my, now that's quite a loophole and cop-out) it comes in the context of a loving and just God who "wants all human beings to be saved."(Hey Billy Graham, did you hear that!!!?)

A church decision to abolish limbo has long been expected. Benedict and his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, expressed misgivings about the concept.(So have millions of martyrs throughout the centuries. What took you guys so long?) Never part of formal doctrine because it does not appear in Scripture,(Agreed) limbo was removed from the Catholic Catechism 15 years ago.(You mean it took almost 2,000 years for Rome to become enlightened?)

From the Latin "limbus," for hem or edge, limbo refers to a "state of natural happiness" outside heaven.(Then why mr. Pope would you want to remove these babes from a"state of natural happiness" and subject them to the pains and agonies of purgatory?)

In the 5th century, St. Augustine declared that all unbaptized babies went to hell upon death.(Hey Gus, so did baptised babies and adults who were not among God's elect.) By the Middle Ages, the idea was softened to suggest a less severe fate, limbo.(Oh! how merciful Rome was. But what about St. Bartholomew's massacre?)

The document published Friday said the question of limbo has become a "matter of pastoral urgency" because of the growing number of babies who do not receive the baptismal rite. Especially in Africa and other parts of the world where Catholicism is growing but has competition from other faiths such as Islam, high infant mortality rates mean many families live with a church teaching them that their babies could not go to heaven.(Now that's pragmatic and political to say the least)

Catholic conservatives criticized any effort to relegate limbo to oblivion. Removing the concept from church teaching would lessen the importance of baptism (Oh don't worry my Catholic friends. The reformed protest-ants will carry on the torch of paedo-baptism. It's their sacrament too.)and discourage parents from christening their infants,(It won't discourage some on this forum. They will continue to defend the sacrament of baptism.) said Kenneth J. Wolfe, a Washington-based columnist for the traditionalist Catholic newspaper the Remnant.
__________________
In Christ
Nicholas

Great edit Nick, you had me laughing.

[lionovjudah]

So, is this retroactive? What about all those babies from centuries before? How did they come to this conclusion?

Did a pope pronounce limbo ex cathedra? If not, then it could be changed.