Catholic Church ends concept of limbo

VATICAN CITY: The Roman Catholic Church has effectively buried the concept of limbo, the place where, centuries of tradition and teaching held, babies who die without baptism went.

The Church's International Theological Commission said limbo reflected an "unduly restrictive view of salvation".

Limbo was never part of Church doctrine, even though it was taught to Catholics well into the 20th century.

The Church teaches that baptism removes original sin, which stains all souls since the fall from grace in the Garden of Eden.