A Story of Insight by Allan Watson.
Navigating the twisting rural roads of Maine is difficult enough without the (good-natured) “back-seat drivers” advice. Yet, several decades ago, this was the exact situation in which I, and friends – parents of a newborn boy – found ourselves. At every bend, I was encouraged to “slow down” or “be careful”. I was driving as safely as possible, but that was of no consequence to my friends.
As Roman Catholics with a newborn, but, as yet, not a baptized son, my friends were aware that a tragic accident could, they feared, be catastrophic for the baby. Believing beyond doubt of their heavenly destination upon death, the new parents also knew beyond doubt that the baby’s soul would not accompany them to the eternal bliss that awaited the baptized. My friends sincerely believed that they would live, after death, in the presence of God; however, their son would not. The baby’s soul could only hope, at best, to rest in a place of eternal peace. A sanctuary known, then as now, as limbo.
As we traveled on, we began to discuss this imperfect destiny for, particularly, not baptized babies. The question (and the answers) for both myself and my friends were unequivocally clear. I found convincing (and still do) the point of argument that the depths of God’s grace gives allowance for those not baptized. The circle of LOVE, which is our Creator, surely would (does) draw itself around a baby’s soul.
However, the church doctrine of Limbo, conceived in the Middle Ages, wore heavily on the hearts of many new parents. It was a cornerstone of their faith. It (limbo) was, in fact, a step up from the early Roman Catholic teaching that insisted that anyone not baptized, was doomed to an eternal Hell.
We reached our destination (despite or because of my driving) without reaching agreement. Yet, there was reached a better understanding and a mutual respect of our (competing) views of God and church. We remained friends for decades and never discussed limbo again. We didn’t have to as we, within the parameters of our faith, were both right.
In December 2005, a commission of Roman Catholic theologians completed a study on the topic of limbo. Their conclusion was that the teaching of limbo was “in crisis”. The original head of the group, now Pope Benedict XVI, had earlier proclaimed limbo as not actually doctrine but rather “theological hypothesis”. This de-emphasis on limbo does not eliminate the practice of baptism. Baptism remains, for Catholics, as the central connection to the body of Christ. However, this development encourages me to further believe that spirituality is (to voice a cliché) slowly but surely, opening doors of inclusiveness, which permits our kind to complete the will of the Creator for Peace on Earth.
Peace
