Expert: J.M.J. West - 4/3/2009

Question
Recently a very dear family friend and his daughter were in a fatal car
accident. The 12 yr old was not baptisied. What happens in this case? What
does the catholic church do?

Answer
The Catechism states:

(CCC 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," 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.