The Effects Of Baptism
By DON FIER In concluding our consideration of the necessity of Baptism for salvation last week, we examined a very delicate matter, namely, the fate of infants who die without being baptized. In accordance with the words of Jesus, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5), the Church has always taught that it is a revealed truth of our faith that Baptism is necessary for salvation. Yet, as we have seen in recent columns, the Church also recognizes Baptism of blood and Baptism of desire as ways of receiving baptismal grace, for God “is not bound by his sacraments” (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], n. 1257). Infants, however,…Continue Reading