Catholic World News News Feature
Theological panel to discuss fate of unbaptized babies October 02, 2006
The International Theological Commission gathered in Rome on October 2, for a week-long meeting that will center on the fate of children who die without being baptized.
The themes for discussion by the International Theological Commission were set in 2004, to cover a 5-year span. The status of unbaptized children was one major topic, to be discussed in the context of God's universal plan for salvation and the unique sacramental role of the Church.
Among other topics to be discussed at this week's plenary meeting, the group will speak about natural law, in light of Pope John Paul's encyclicals Veritatis Splendor and Fides et Ratio. Cardinal William Levada, the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, will preside at the meeting, which will conclude with a Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI in the Redemptoris Mater chapel of the apostolic palace.
Founded in 1969 by Pope Paul VI, the International Theological Commission is a group of 30 scholars, named by the Pope, assigned to help the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in the study of major doctrinal questions.
