International Theological Commission: Hope of Salvation for Infants who die without being BaptisedThe ITC has studied the question of the fate of un-baptised infants, bearing in mind the principle of thehierarchy of truths and the other theological principles of the universal salvific will of God, the unicity andinsuperability of the mediation of Christ, the sacramentality of the Church in the order of salvation, and thereality of original sin. In the contemporary context of cultural relativism and religious pluralism the number ofnon-baptized infants has grown considerably, and therefore the reflection on the possibility of salvation forthese infants has become urgent. The Church is conscious that this salvation is attainable only in Christ throughthe Spirit. But the Church, as mother and teacher, cannot fail to reflect upon the fate of all men, created in theimage of God, and in a more particular way on the fate of the weakest members of the human family and thosewho are not yet able to use their reason and freedom.The traditional teaching on this topic has concentrated on the theory of limbo, understood as a state whichincludes the souls of infants who die subject to original sin and without baptism, and who therefore neithermerit the beatific vision nor yet are subjected to any punishment, because they are not guilty of any personalsin. This theory, elaborated by theologians beginning in the Middle Ages, never entered into the dogmaticdefinitions of the magisterium, even if that same magisterium did at times mention the theory in its ordinaryteaching up until Vatican II. It remains therefore a possible theological hypothesis. However, in the Catechismof the Catholic Church (1992; = CCC), the theory of limbo is not mentioned. Rather, the catechism teaches thatinfants who die without baptism are entrusted by the Church to the mercy of God, as is shown in the specificfuneral rite for such children. The principle that God desires the salvation of all people gives ri...