In it’s infinite wisdom, the Catholic church last week took a huge step towards abolishing limbo.
For those unfamiliar with Catholic dogma, limbo (limbus infantium) is was a collection place for babies not yet baptized in the faith. It is not be be confused with bending backwards under a broomstick while trying to sway to a Latin beat. Limbo was better than hell, better than purgatory but yet not quite heaven.
That all changed last week when top Catholic theologians, ending a December conference, declared limbo “in crisis.”
It’s about time.
I’ve always had a problem thinking that innocent little babies don’t go to heaven simply because they weren’t old enough to profess a faith.
Apparently, those tiny souls confined since limbo was invented now get a free pass to heaven. That’s got to be a measure of comfort to parents of unbaptized babies.
On the other hand, it’s a little disconcerting to do away with a tenet on which millions were raised. I felt the same way when mass switched from Latin to English and when the priests started facing the congregation.
What’s next? Do away with requiem masses? Free candle-lighting? Axing requiem masses would pretty much nix purgatory, not to mention stop a huge flow of money to the Catholic church. Ditto the candle-lighting. Can’t have that.
It’s a pity that one of the largest churches in the world has to prey on the grieving, the mourning, for money. It shows how low can they go.