Life is precious
“Every human life, from the moment of conception until death, is scared because the human person has been willed for its own sake in the image and likeness of the living and holy God.” -Catechism of the Catholic Church 2319
This is true if the child lives 10 days in the womb, for 10 years or for 10 decades. Age does not determine your baby’s humanity or worth. Jeremiah 1:5 reminds of us, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I consecrated you.”
Your child was known, created and loved by God no matter how long he or she lived!
Salvation for unbaptized babies: Heaven vs Limbo
Many families are concerned about what has happened to their baby’s soul if the child was not baptised before death.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church 1261 states, “As regards to 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,” allows us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without Baptism.”
The International Theological Commission’s sought to explore this delicate topic with their document entitled, “The Hope of Salvation for Infants Who Die Without Being Baptised.” They begin by explaining that Limbo, (a theory defining it as a place where the souls of unbaptised babies reside rather than Heaven due to the effects of Original Sin) though around since the Middle Ages, has NEVER been an official Church teaching and is not to be taken as such.
Be at peace. The love and mercy of God are great!
“The Lord’s acts of mercy are not exhausted, His compassion is not spent. They are renewed each morning – great is your faithfulness! The Lord is my portion, I tell myself, therefore I will hope in Him.” Lamentations 3:22-24