I have seen several who held the view that catechumen martyrs subject to BOB are in hell or simply do not exist. They argued that the Roman Martyrology sources are not reliable and therefore we can reject the Saints in Roman martyrology. Unless I am making a mistake in
However, if you want examples of Saints who died without the sacrament of baptism, we have many. Abraham, Moses, Elias... They were subject to the Old Law.
What do you call this concept? Isn't that "Baptism of desire"?
Or are those people simply subject to the Old Law and "baptism of desire" doesn't exist?
1. Stop equating the Old law with the New Law. Not comparable. Not the same rules.
2. Go read the church fathers on BOBlood. It's not the same thing as BOD at all. BOB was the sacrament itself.
Logically, people who couldn't ever be reached by any priest or apostle during their lifetime and who have absolutely no way of knowing baptism is necessary for salvation cannot be subjected to an obligation which they were not aware of nor had any means to know of.
What people "can't be reached" by God? We have scripture passages which show the apostles miraculously meeting those of Faith and baptizing them. We have scripture passages of apostles creating a miraculous spring of water, to baptize Cornelius. We have many accounts of saints bringing back people from the dead, to baptize them. We have accounts of the indian tribes in america who were visited by the saintly nun, who taught them the Faith. We even have...now...HUNDREDS of accounts of muslims in Iran, and the Middle East, who are being visited by Our Lord, in dreams, and He is telling them to "Follow Me". These muslims are converting en masse to the Faith. And many have not yet converted but are asking questions and searching.
It is infallible, it is Scriptural, it is DE FIDE that "God wills all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the Truth". That's why everyone was born - to be tested. To either accept God or reject Him.
God creates all men. No one is born accidentally or secretly that God doesn't know about. No one lives except God give him breath, from minute to minute. No one dies except God decides He die. No one dies unless God allows it and plans it.
No one is born into this world who does not get tested. And tempted. And he will either choose God or not. Some people's test starts off with the natural law (i.e. they are not born catholic, or with any religion at all). Their test is - to follow the 10 commandments or not. If they are of bad will, and want sin, then religion for them is pointless (and God does not cast pearls before swine).
If they are of good will and try to follow the natural law, THEN...God will enlighten them to religious truths.
God is NOT obligated to give every human the choice between a) the Catholic Faith or b) hell. That's an error. No saint has ever said this, nor has God ever said this. Some people are given an easier test (at first): a) 10 commandments / natural law or b) hell. If they can't (at least) choose to *try* to live a good life, then religion for them is in vain.