Expert: Sal - 11/30/2004

Question
Hi Sal,

I discovered that the Pope who ruled when Elizabeth 1 came to power said that whoever threw her out would be rewarded with heaven, but never used the word 'murder'.  Can you tell me what happens to aborted children?  Do they go to heaven?  Why does God allow children to be born with diseases?  Is it to test the parents or could it be like rolling a die?:  a random occurrence in certain infants.  Finally, are we always sure that what happens is God's will (a car accident kills a young child) or could it be a pattern of random occurrences which God of course knows about but does not directly influence?  Finally, could you please explain to me why some Protestant churches do not regard Baptism as essential but merely an outward symbol of salvation, a step of obedience?  This seems very heretical to me, and based on scripture, I fail to see how they can arrive at such a conclusion.

Thank you.

Answer
Hi Les:

You ask some deep questions! I will try to give you the best answers that I can, but they will probably be inadequate for such serious questions.

Aborted babies have no actual sin, therefore, they likely go to heaven. Some theologians believe that aborted babies cannot fully enjoy the beatific vision (seeing God “face to face”). This, they say, is because the soul of the aborted baby still contains original sin. So the baby's soul enjoys a “lesser” heaven where it is in a state of great joy & comfort, but cannot experience being with God “face to face”.

The fact that there is evil and suffering in the world while God is all-good and all-powerful is a great mystery. We as humans with finite minds will never be able to fully comprehend why this apparent paradox exists, at least not this side of heaven. To a certain extent we can look to Scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church for some understanding into this perplexing problem.

We know that God created the first human beings, Adam & Eve, in a sinless state. We can say that they were in a state of perfection as was the whole creation. “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). Then Adam & Eve, at the urging of the Devil, disobeyed God and thereby, brought sin and suffering into the world (original sin). Perfection ceased and all manner of evil and suffering became possible.  Man is, therefore, the originator of suffering in the world not God. God allows suffering, but He does not stand idly by. He brings good out of the evil and suffering that we have caused. A great example of this is that He allowed His own Son to suffer and die in order to bring eternal salvation to mankind. God even suffers in heaven. “The LORD was grieved that He had made man on the earth, and His heart was filled with pain” (Genesis 6:6).

The Catholic Church teaches that if we join our own suffering to those of Jesus we will become closer to him. Our suffering “becomes a participation in the saving work of Jesus” (Catechism, no. 1521). As St. Paul put it, “Even now I find joy in the suffering I endure for you. In my own flesh I fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of his body, the church” (Colossians 1:24).  St. Peter taught that we are all called to suffer. “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” (I Peter 2:21).  Our Lord made the very clear statement that his followers would have to suffer in this life. “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

Suffering can also lead us to help others, something that God certainly desires. We develop a spirit of compassion, love, and sacrifice toward others when we see them in trouble or pain. Pope John Paul II said that “suffering is present in the world in order to release love, in order to give birth to works of love toward neighbor, in order to transform the whole of human civilization into a ‘civilization of love'” (On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering, no. 30).

Suffering can also prepare us for the life to come. “You can depend on this: If we have suffered with him we shall also live with him; if we hold out to the end we shall also reign with him” (II timothy 2:11-12).

As I said at the start we humans cannot fully understand why all the suffering is in the world, but we can have faith that some good does come of it even if it is not readily apparent. We must keep St. Paul's word in our hearts, “I consider the sufferings of the present to be as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

Yes, it is heresy to deny the necessity of baptism. Jesus himself confirmed the need for baptism. “I solemnly assure you, no one can enter into God's kingdom without being begotten of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5). Our first Pope, St. Peter, said, “You are now saved by a baptismal bath” (I Peter 3:21). Some Protestant churches do not believe that baptism is necessary because they start with another heresy—salvation by faith alone. Therefore, they may reason if we are saved by faith alone then the “work” of baptism cannot be necessary. The make all sort of elaborate twists and turns to avoid the clear meaning of passages which speak of the necessity of baptism. Luckily for them God does make exceptions to the rule that one must be baptized in order to be saved. “God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments” (Catechism, no. 1257).

I pray that this is of some help to you, Les. The questions were particularly difficult, but I hope that I gave you some insight.

God Bless You, Sal