Vatican considering abolishing limbo
{{date|October 6, 2006}}
[[Image:Pope Benedictus XVI january,20 2006 (2).JPG|thumb|Pope Benedict  XVI|250px]]
Consideration is being given to dropping the notion of [[w:Limbo|limbo]], where souls of babies who die before [[w:baptism|baptism]] remain, from the body of Catholic belief.
What the present [[w:Pope Benedict XVI|Pope]] has called "only a theological hypothesis" and "not a definitive truth of the faith" has been the subject of study by theologians for many years.

The word comes from the Latin word "limbus", meaning the edge. Limbo is a state of existence where unbaptised babies would not experience pain.

Reports say that the Vatican will defer a decision on the issue for a year.

"A papal decree reversing the firm Catholic belief of two millennia that infants dying unbaptised do not go to heaven would be like an earthquake in the structure of Catholic theology and belief," said Fr. Brian Harrison, a theologian.

A draft document drawn up for the Pope's approval declaring that limbo was no longer essential or even necessary has not been final. It will be presented to the pontiff in 2007.

== Sources ==
{{wikipediapar|Limbo}}
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/5406552.stm
|title=How can limbo just be abolished?
|author=
|pub=BBC News Online
|date=October 6, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5412166.stm
|title=Vatican to review state of limbo 
|author=
|pub=BBC News Online
|date=October 6, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-2392192,00.html
|title=Pope decision on 'limbo' delayed for a year
|author=Richard Owen
|pub=Times Online
|date=October 6, 2006}}

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[[Category:Christianity]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:The Vatican]]
[[Category:Pope Benedict XVI]]
[[Category:Roman Catholic Church]]
250px
Consideration is being given to dropping the notion of limbo, where souls of babies who die before baptism remain, from the body of Catholic belief.
What the present Pope has called "only a theological hypothesis" and "not a definitive truth of the faith" has been the subject of study by theologians for many years.

The word comes from the Latin word "limbus", meaning the edge. Limbo is a state of existence where unbaptised babies would not experience pain.

Reports say that the Vatican will defer a decision on the issue for a year.

"A papal decree reversing the firm Catholic belief of two millennia that infants dying unbaptised do not go to heaven would be like an earthquake in the structure of Catholic theology and belief," said Fr. Brian Harrison, a theologian.

A draft document drawn up for the Pope's approval declaring that limbo was no longer essential or even necessary has not been final. It will be presented to the pontiff in 2007.

*

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Christianity Religion The Vatican Pope Benedict XVI Roman Catholic Church