The Evangelical Universalist Forum

Second Vatican Council 1962-65 and Universalism

That would be interesting to look up (especially since Balthasar was so heavily involved in it), but I haven’t ever heard that it did.

Unfortunately, most of my RCC docs are locked up in an inaccessible part of my office computer at the moment. (Long story. :wink: )

The great catechism of the late 90s disaffirms universal salvation as being even a possibility, and it came from scholars heavily involved in the Second Vatican Council, including those like Pope John Paul II (reigning Pope at the time) and Cardinal Ratzinger (the current Pope Benedict, successor to JP2) who are sympathetic to Balthasar.

It’s been a while since I looked over the information on that, though, so I don’t recall how much room they left in for Balthasar’s position. (I don’t think they ever say some humans will definitely be hopelessly punished in hell, but I’m pretty sure they affirm the existence of rebel angels–which Balt was loathe to do–and that they’ll be hopelessly punished.)