January 15, 2010
The Christian Journey
Desire for baptism is crucial element
BY FATHER JIM SAUER
Many of us learned in the Baltimore Catechism that there were three valid ways to be baptized: 1) baptism by water, 2) baptism by blood (martyrdom), and 3) baptism by desire (if a catechumen died before water baptism). Having the “desire” to be baptized is essential to all three ways. For adults, this desire for baptism must always be evident in their willingness to follow Christ as active members of the Church. The parents’ desire to have their baby baptized must always be apparent in raising their children to follow Christ and in their active membership in the parish community. Desiring baptism without any involvement in the Church is a false understanding of that sacrament.
If parents wait until their baby’s birth to register for the sessions, some express concern about baptizing their baby as soon as possible because of “Limbo.” In light of the three valid ways of baptism outlined in the previous paragraph, we discuss that from a mere human viewpoint they do not have to worry about their baby going to “limbo.” It all comes does to “desire.” They had the desire to baptize their baby during their pregnancy; and by enrolling in the sessions, they now express their desire in a public way. This provides for an excellent opportunity to explain how their desire would save their baby, just as their desire is the reason we baptize their baby who is too young to make that decision for him/herself. They find this reassuring.
Pope Benedict XVI formally clarified the teaching on Limbo in April 2009. He was completing the work of Pope John Paul II, who convened a 30-member international commission of theologians to examine “Limbo.” As Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, he supported this commission stating that Limbo had “never been a definitive truth of the faith.” In September/October 2006, the commission concluded that “all children who die do so in the expectation of ‘the universal salvation of God’ and the ‘mediation of Christ’, whether baptized or not.” They continued, “God wishes all souls to be saved, and the souls of unbaptized children are entrusted to a ‘merciful God’ whose ways of ensuring salvation cannot be known. In effect, this means that all children who die go to Heaven.” Let’s be clear — Pope Benedict XVI did not do away with Limbo. Pope Benedict XVI simply declared that Limbo was never a “doctrine of the Catholic faith.” Limbo was always and is only a “theory.” For his wisdom, the Church owes our Holy Father a debt of gratitude.
Several conclusions: 1) May Jesus, “who welcomed little children, sat them upon his lap and blessed them,” bring healing to all parents who grew up in a church believing that their unbaptized infants would not go to heaven. 2) Would it not be a source of healing and a sign of respect for the sanctity of human life for parents and other survivors if our bishop and priests would bless concurrently any “unconsecrated ground” in church cemeteries for unbaptized babies and suicide victims during Respect Life Month or on this Sanctity of Life Sunday, January 17? 3) While not dismissing inactive parents, parish leaders (or parishioners) would spend quality time with them helping them to examine their lack of involvement in the visible Body of Christ for the sake of their infant. And 4) may we never play God by claiming who is “saved” or “unsaved,” for all of us must trust in God’s loving mercy now and at the hour of our death. “God’s thoughts are not our thoughts; nor are God’s ways our ways.”