![]() Augustine's position and rejected the idea of limbo. In the later eighteenth century, the heretical group known as the Jansenists promoted St. In all, Aquinas" theological speculation was regarded as the best explanation for this problem. Essentially, Aquinas leaves them in a state of ignorant bliss. While he also believed that the loss of Heaven and the Beatific Vision was a far greater punishment than any sensible torments of Hell, Aquinas added that these souls do not have the knowledge of what they have missed. Since Hell was the place of eternal punishment for unrepentant mortal sinners who had rejected God and since the unbaptized could not enter Heaven, those unbaptized infants should be in another place, perhaps in a place and state of limbo. He emphasized that original sin was a sin of nature inherited from our parents rather than a sin freely committed. 1274) laid the foundation for the "limbo" explanation. 1099), Abelard, and Peter Lombard, revisited the issue. Augustine's harsh teaching, the Scholastics of the Middle Ages, including St. However, he conceded that their punishment would be the mildest of all (De peccatorum meritis, I, xxi).ĭissatisfied with St. He believed that unbaptized children would be sent neither to Hell since they did not merit Heaven due to original sin nor to Purgatory since that period of purification eventually leads to Heaven. 430) denied any notion of such an intermediary place or limbo. Given this line of thought, the idea of some intermediary place or limbo existed for these souls. 397) agreed that only those souls culpable of unrepented mortal sin would be damned to Hell. that those last mentioned will neither be admitted by the just judge to the glory of Heaven nor condemned to suffer punishment, since though unsealed, they are not wicked.For from that fact that one does not merit punishment it does not follow that he is worthy of being honored, any more that it follows that one who is not worthy of a certain honor deserve on that account to be punished" (Orations, XL, 23). 389) posited, "It will happen, I believe. Given the Lord's teaching, the problem comes to mind, "What happens to a baby who through no fault of his own is born with original sin and who dies without the benefit of baptism?" Several of the early Church Fathers addressed this issue. The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are 'reborn of water and the Spirit'" (#1257). The Catechism consequently asserts, "The Lord Himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. Jesus taught, "I solemnly assure you, no one can enter into God's kingdom without being begotten of water and Spirit" (John 3:5). Rather, limbo is a theological supposition that became a popular way of dealing with a teaching of our Lord regarding the necessity of baptism for eternal salvation and what happens to the souls of individuals who die without being baptized. ![]() This understanding of limbo is denoted as limbus infantium or limbus puerorum.Īt the outset of this article, note that the Church has never officially defined the doctrine of limbo. These souls are denied eternal life in Heaven and the Beatific Vision due solely to the effects of Original Sin. The other understanding of limbo refers to the permanent place and state of the souls of those who have died without baptism and without mortal sin, particularly the souls of infants. (The word Hell here should not be confused with our present understanding as the place of eternal damnation here Hell is the English translation for the word sheol, "the place of the dead," with limbo being the particular waiting place for the just.) This understanding of limbo is denoted as limbus patrum. Once our Lord had offered Himself on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, He "descended into Hell," as we profess in the Apostles" Creed, to reveal Himself and to take these souls to Heaven. In theology, the word limbo, derived from the Latin limbus, meaning "hem" or "border," is understood in two senses: First, limbo refers to the temporary place and state of rest of the souls of the just who had died and were awaiting the saving action of the Messiah.
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