Two Little Boys

Yesterday the pope engaged in an outdoors address of a parish in Rome.  A little boy named Emanuele addressed a question to Pope Francis regarding his atheist father who just died.  In a nutshell the pope dismissed the necessity for baptism and belief in Jesus Christ to attain salvation.  I needn't rehash what other bloggers have already adroitly done.  Suffice it to say that I agree with Louie Verrechio in saying that much of this event was staged.  The little boy may well have been concerned about his father, but the language he used was rather advanced for a six-year-old.  Gloria TV states that while God does not abandon the sinner, it's the sinner who abandons God.

Now on to the other little boy.

His name is Alfie Evans.  He is a sick little boy in England, in the clutches of the so-called "national health service".  The latter has been chomping at the bit to murder Alfie by disconnecting his life support over the objections of his parents.  The pope has finally weighed in on the matter - sort of!  He yapped and yammered about "delicate situations, very painful and complex" and "joint efforts of families, doctors.."  He absolutely refused to utter clear teaching from the Church.  The teaching is clear - nothing "complex" about it.  Have you ever noticed that when people don't want to admit to clear standards of right versus wrong in a given situation, they claim it's "complex"?  They do so only to avoid being held accountable for conformity and obedience to truth.  We also are treated to nonsense about "joint efforts".  But who has the authority over a child?  Clearly it's the parents - yet the pope did not state that.  Does he not believe that?

Both Emanuele and Alfie have suffered immense disservice from this pope.  In Emanuele's case he was denied the truth regarding heaven and the necessity for believing.  In Alfie's case he was denied a voice needed to perhaps save his life.

Unbaptized Babies

Please watch this video.  Yes, Pope St John Paul II did say that we may entertain a "hope" that these children would be admitted into heaven.  However, "hope" is not "certitude".  This is a topic of concern for me, as I am in front of abortuaries most Saturday mornings to persuade the mothers to give life to their children - and a chance for them to be baptized.

I have seen pro-lifers commit serious errors along these lines.  The first is the presumption that aborted babies will automatically participate in the Beatific Vision.  Some have even opined that we on the sidewalks need not make these babies the primary objects of our concern, but to do that for those participating in the abortion.  That is irresponsible hogwash.  The adults who are participating in the abortion have the ability to repent.  The unborn child is completely dependent on others for his/her entrance to heaven.  The babies will get first dibs on my efforts.

The second error is one from an opposite perspective.  Here the pro-lifers understand the need for the babes to be baptized, but also lament that they cannot perform the baptism themselves.  So they have concocted a parody of baptism, believing or wishing it to be efficacious.  That is, they kneel and pray in the direction of the mill.  They perform the baptism ritual and sprinkle holy water in the direction of the slaughter house.  Best wishes and motives aside, that is NOT a valid baptism.  The water must come into physical contact with the child's body in order for the sacrament to be valid.  Remember: matter, form, intention.  All must be present and in good order for the sacrament to be valid.

Limbo Of The Infants

A few weeks ago I blogged on the necessity of infant baptism.  Today a blogging colleague at A Blog For Dallas Area Catholics posted a piece that I definitely recommend.  In his second paragraph he touches upon women who think that they're sending their babies to heaven - or at least that's the yarn they throw at us.  Several years ago I had a conversation with a woman who thought I was taking pro-life too seriously because the "babies go to heaven anyway". (She was wise enough to stop when she beheld the expression on my face).

The long and short is that we just don't know for certain the destinies of these babies.  We have hope, but not certitude, that they'll go to heaven.  But that lack of certitude means abortion is even more heinous than it appears at first glance (horrible enough).  Some of my pro-life comrades may take umbrage, but I think we need to face the truth on this matter.  And for folks like the lady I mentioned above, when you don't take the scourge of baby-murder seriously, you're making a "crap-shoot" out of the eternal destinies of babies.  For the love of God, get off your derrieres and work and pray them off to stop the blood-letting.  NOW!

The Necessity Of Infant Baptism - Sidewalk Counselors Take Note

I address this to fellow pro-life activists, particularly sidewalk counselors.  In some meeting that I've attended, I've heard leaders put forth a dangerous theory as to our main purpose on the sidewalks.  I quote from one leader, "our goal is not ultimately about saving babies from abortion…God can take care of the babies whether they’re born or not born.As Catholics we consign them to His mercy…what we’re really after is souls.”

Well, I'd hope that these "souls" include those of the unborn children.  Without sacramental baptism, they won't attain heaven.  They most certainly are our first priority.  I now link to a commentary by Dr Taylor Marshall on a bull against abortion issued by Pope Sixtus V in the 1500s (it was a problem back then).  Now listen to this homily on the topic; I find it to be quite thorough.