Msg Base:  AREA 3  - ASK FATHER (AMDG)
  Msg No: 7.  Thu  7-16-92  9:32  (NO KILL)
    From: Father Mateo
      To: Rory Olsen
 Subject: souls of aborted children
ALSO SEE: 51.

ÚÄ
³        After a child in utero is aborted, what happens to its soul?  Thanks
³ in advance for responding.  The reality of abortion in our society makes
³ this inquiry more than a matter of idle curiosity.
³
³                                        RRO
ÀÄ[RO=>FM]
 
Dear Rory,
 
God has not revealed nor does the Church teach how unbaptized infants
may be saved.
 
Father Ott in his "Fundamentals of Catholic  Dogma" (TAN Books,
Rockford, Illinois 61105), page 114, writes: " ...emergency means of
baptism  for children dying without sacramental (water) baptism, such
as prayer and desire of the parents or the Church (vicarious baptism
of desire--Cajetan), or the attainment of the use of reason in the
moment of death, so that the dying child can decide for or against
God (baptism of desire--H. Klee), or suffering and death of the child
as quasi--sacrament (baptism of suffering -- H. Schnell), are indeed
possible, but their actuality cannot be proved from Revelation."
 
Ott continues, however, "Theologians usually assume that there is a
special place or state for children dying without baptism which they
call "children's limbo".  Pope Pius VI adopted this view against the
(heretical) Synod of Pistoia.
 
My own hope is that Cajetan (see above) got it right. Certainly, his
view is a motive for prayer and a consolation for bereaved families.
I would urge every Catholic to include all those who die without
baptisim in daily, fervent prayer.  Perhaps we shall save many souls
in this way, including our own.
 
A practical and fervent way of obtaining God's mercy on the whole
world is found in the teaching and practice of the Servant of God,
Faustina Kowalska, who may soon be beatified.  A booklet describing
these, "The Divine Mercy: Message and Devotion", is published by
Marian Helpers Center, Marians of the Immaculate Conception,
Stockbridge, MA 01263. The booklet's publication number is M-17R. The
price is $1.00. Add 75 cents for postage and handling.
 
                                Sincerely in Christ,
 
 
                                        Father Mateo