Catholics/non-baptized infant.

Advertisement

Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 11/2/2010


Question
Hi, I work for a large company and have made many friends over the years.  They all know I am Catholic & sometimes tease me because I say the Rosary on my lunch time. Recently one of my co-workers asked me a question about non-baptized baby's and I did my best to answer the question but her thoughts on the subject made me wonder.  Specifically, she asked what was the church's teaching on baby's who die before being baptized since Jesus said that all must be baptized to enter Heaven. I told her that we trust in the mercy of God the Father for children in this situation.  My co-worked then asked me how any mom could be happy in Heaven knowing her child didn't get in (to Heaven) because the parent didn't get the child baptized before they died at a very young age.  I was stumped, and I would imagine many parents wonder this very thing, especially someone who has undergone an abortion but has since reconciled with God through confession.  What is the church teaching on this subject, and what do I tell my co-worker??  

Answer
Hi, Jim:
Thanks for the question.
It sounds like you answered the first part of the matter very well.  We can only hope for, and look for God the Father's Mercy.  As for any question of unhappiness in Heaven: if you are there, you cannot possibly be unhappy, as you would be enjoying the Beatific Vision.  You would know that all things, no matter what, are taken care of in God's great mercy and justice in a PERFECT way.  Part of the Beatific Vision would be to know the Truth about things as God knows them; therefore, you could not possibly be unhappy, because you would know God's justice, love, and mercy.  You would not be in any position of "second-guessing" God.  You would be perfectly happy: "Be perfect as my Heavenly Father is perfect."

Fr. Timothy Johnson

Catholics

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Fr. Timothy Johnson

Expertise

A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.

Experience

I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.

Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)

Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology; MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary; 2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality. BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy; BA - Liberal Arts; AA - General Studies.

Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15. Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office. I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church. Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.