Msg Base:  AREA 5  - ASK FATHER            CIN ECHO   AMDG
  Msg No: 140.  Wed  9-18-91  5:33
    From: Father Mateo
      To: Bob Daknis
 Subject: Limbo of the Fathers

+-
| Father,  Thank you for taking the time to read this message.  I have been
| a Christian and a member of the RC for 25 Years....I have always had a
| question about the belief that Christ desented into hell....Why did Jesus
| tell the criminal in Luke 24,43 " Today you will be with me in Paradise.
| This is a solemn promise"?  Looking forward to you answer <><
+-
 
Dear Bob,
 
The article in the Apostles' Creed that Christ descended into Hell
means that after His redemptive death on the Cross and before His
Resurrection, Christ visited the "Limbo of the Fathers", the place or
state of the souls of the just who died before the accomplishment of
Redemption.  He went there and "preached to the spirits in person"
(1st Peter 3:19) and to the other saints of God, who could not enter
Heaven until Redemption was accomplished.  The word "Hell" in the
Creed refers to their place or state, not to the hell of the damned,
from which no one there can be delivered.
 
To the Thief on His right hand, who made an act of faith and love of
Christ and a prayer for salvation, He announced that his prayer was
granted and that he would be saved:  "Today you will be with me in
paradise" (Luke 23:43).
 
                                    Sincerely in Christ,
                                    Father Mateo