Topic: What happens to an infant's soul if it dies before baptism?

Source of this posting: Moderator response to emailed question

Date originally posted: March 21, 2002

Moderator who originally posted this source: J. Ruffo

Question: Thank you for providing this website! I was fascinated by the question about Mary and Joseph's marriage being a valid one in the eyes of the Catholic church.  I think one fact everyone has over looked is that the Catholic Church did not exist at the time of their marriage. They were Jews and so we would have to look at what the Jewish law of that day tells us about a valid marriage. The Catholic Church did not start until Jesus said to Peter, Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church... My question is; if an infant dies before baptism, what happens to his soul? What is the official church teaching on this ? Thanks, Matt

Answer: 

Dear Matt, 

Good question.  The Church teaches that if an infant dies before baptism, or if a fetus is aborted would also apply here, that person’s soul would be received into heaven.  The person would be baptized with a “baptism of desire”, the creature’s natural desire to be with one’s Creator.  We believe that God would not punish someone for dying before baptism, or punish them for being aborted before their natural birth.   

Father John