Are Roman Catholics the only people that can be saved?

[Grateful_Leper]

Are Roman Catholics the only people that can be saved?

I have a friend who Is Roman Catholic and he keeps telling me things that seem very judgmental or caustic. If most Roman Catholics are this judgmental, I’m not sure if I ever will join the Roman Catholic Church. I watch the recorded mass at the Roman cathedral on TV and I find a ton of similarity to the way we worship at my Anglican church. My friends and I love watching the rector at this Roman Catholic cathedral because he is so very enthusiastic about what he is saying and he is so excited about being so precise.

I was baptized when I was a teenager and I have been a Christian all my life. I believe that I am saved and I believe that my family is saved.

I do not believe that Roman Catholics hold a monopoly on salvation.

 

[Eclogue]

The short answer is no. If you do what Jesus commanded you to, “love one another,” then you are saved. When it is said that there is no salvation outside the Catholic Church, that means that the Catholic Church alone has the fullness of truth. In other words, the Catholic Church is the best source of help for learning how to “love one another;” it has been guided by the Holy Spirit into infallibility on such matters. But if you do what is right, you can go to heaven no matter what denomination you identify with. Catholics believe it is just more difficult to know what is right without the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

An analogy I heard somewhere on this forum (sorry I can’t remember exactly which thread, but this question has come up a few times in the past on this site) is it’s as if you need a guidebook to get to heaven. The Catholic Church has as compete and true a guidebook as it is possible to have, because of the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Other religions have similar guidebooks, but their books may have missing pages or incorrect information. Even with that kind of guidebook, it is possible to achieve salvation through the use of your reason and inner moral compass, but it is not nearly as easy as it would be with the complete version.

Does this help any?

 

[gilbs72]

To extend the question a bit further, a Muslim or Wiccan who is looking toward Christianity can ask the same question, and complain why Christians think they have the monopoly to salvation.

Yet, how can a Christian compromise his faith in Christ’s own words, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Unfortunately, not all matters of faith can be explained by human reason (for example, transubstantiation, virginity of Mary, etc.). Likewise, not everything in Faith can be “fair” according to human measures (although it may be fair in God’s wisdom). Some beliefs must be left to faith and faith alone.

In this case, we believe in the institution of the Catholic (Universal) Church by Jesus Christ through Saint Peter, in the unbroken succession of Popes beginning from Peter, as well as the infallibility of the Pope in matters of faith–which extends to the Church. As a Catholic, I cannot just compromise any of these just because it seems “fair” to do so.

catholicdoors.com/courses/salvatio.htm

I do personally believe that a person who is ignorant of any sin when he commits it can be saved. (Including ignorance of the Catholic Church–perhaps if he lived in some remote island or grew in a strict non-Catholic environment).

So sorry if this seems unfair or irrational–please believe that offending anyone is farthest from my mind.

If by some theoretical, unquestionable means, Jesus asks me to walk on water, will I not do it because human reason tells me that I will drown?

 

[ConstantineTG]

Hopefully not. What about the 22 other Catholic Churches?

 

[saveusfromhell]

a friend (spauline) on another thread uses typology to explain the 5loves and the2 fishes that Jesus gave the apostles to feed his sheep.
7 sacraments, that christ gave us, 2 our brothers in christ have and the extra 5 catholics have bringing it to 7 sacraments altogether.

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

Are Roman Catholics the only people that can be saved?

I have a friend who Is Roman Catholic and he keeps telling me things that seem very judgmental or caustic. If most Roman Catholics are this judgmental, I’m not sure if I ever will join the Roman Catholic Church. I watch the recorded mass at the Roman cathedral on TV and I find a ton of similarity to the way we worship at my Anglican church. My friends and I love watching the rector at this Roman Catholic cathedral because he is so very enthusiastic about what he is saying and he is so excited about being so precise.

I was baptized when I was a teenager and I have been a Christian all my life. I believe that I am saved and I believe that my family is saved.

I do not believe that Roman Catholics hold a monopoly on salvation.

Big confusion. Yes and No. It depends on what you think it is THE CHURCH.
I am not going into it.
What I say is that EVERYBODY past, present and future is saved ONLY through Jesus Christ.
Now, Jesus Christ is THE CHURCH, the tree where are we implanted, we, the leaves, the fruits and so on.
Now, if we want to continue the image, (but it is only and image !!!) the root of the tree is the Pope.
So, the Pope’s Church will survive till the end of the World. The others may not and probably will disappear. For they are not with the root.

Now, every budhist, xaintoist, atheist is save through and only through Jesus Christ.

Those are images, but serve for what I have got to say.

 

[DebChris]

While the Catholic Church teaches that salvation comes through her, it does not teach that salvation is exclusive to Roman Catholics.
It recognizes our “separated brothers and sisters” who strive to follow Christ.
CCC839 states explicitly “To the Jews ‘belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;’…'for the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.”
It is God, not man, who determines who is saved.

CCC1260 "Since Christ died for all, and since all men are in fact called to one and the same destiny, which is divine, we must hold that the Holy Spirit offers to all the possibility of being made partakers, in a way known to God, of the Paschal mystery. " Every man who is ignorant of the Gospel of Christ and his Church, but seeks the truth and does the will of God in accordance with his understanding of it, can be saved. It may be supposed that such persons would have desired Baptism explicitly if they had known its necessity.

 

[Anna_Scott]

Are Roman Catholics the only people that can be saved? . . . .

DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH
LUMEN GENTIUM
SOLEMNLY PROMULGATED BY HIS HOLINESS
POPE PAUL VI
ON NOVEMBER 21, 1964
CHAPTER II
ON THE PEOPLE OF GOD
15. The Church recognizes that in many ways she is linked with those who, being baptized, are honored with the name of Christian, though they do not profess the faith in its entirety or do not preserve unity of communion with the successor of Peter. (14*) For there are many who honor Sacred Scripture, taking it as a norm of belief and a pattern of life, and who show a sincere zeal. They lovingly believe in God the Father Almighty and in Christ, the Son of God and Saviour. (15*) They are consecrated by baptism, in which they are united with Christ.They also recognize and accept other sacraments within their own Churches or ecclesiastical communities.

Many of them rejoice in the episcopate, celebrate the Holy Eucharist and cultivate devotion toward the Virgin Mother of God.(16*) They also share with us in prayer and other spiritual benefits. Likewise we can say that in some real way they are joined with us in the Holy Spirit, for to them too He gives His gifts and graces whereby He is operative among them with His sanctifying power. . . . .

1. Finally, those who have not yet received the Gospel are related in various ways to the people of God.(18*) In the first place we must recall the people to whom the testament and the promises were given and from whom Christ was born according to the flesh.(125) On account of their fathers this people remains most dear to God, for God does not repent of the gifts He makes nor of the calls He issues.(126)

But the plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator. In the first place amongst these there are the Mohammedans, who, professing to hold the faith of Abraham, along with us adore the one and merciful God, who on the last day will judge mankind. Nor is God far distant from those who in shadows and images seek the unknown God, for it is He who gives to all men life and breath and all things,(127) and as Saviour wills that all men be saved.(128) Those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience.(19*)

Nor does Divine Providence deny the helps necessary for salvation to those who, without blame on their part, have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and with His grace strive to live a good life. Whatever good or truth is found amongst them is looked upon by the Church as a preparation for the Gospel.(20*) She knows that it is given by Him who enlightens all men so that they may finally have life. . .

Peace,
Anna

 

[Anna_Scott]

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
THE PROFESSION OF FAITH
SECTION TWO
THE PROFESSION OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
CHAPTER THREE
I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
ARTICLE 9
“I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH”

Paragraph 3. The Church Is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic

818 "However, one cannot charge with the sin of the separation those who at present are born into these communities [that resulted from such separation] and in them are brought up in the faith of Christ, and the Catholic Church accepts them with respect and affection as brothers . . . . All who have been justified by faith in Baptism are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as brothers in the Lord by the children of the Catholic Church."272

819 "Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth"273 are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: "the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements."274 Christ’s Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church. All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him,275 and are in themselves calls to "Catholic unity."276

838 "The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honored by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter."322 Those "who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church."323 With the Orthodox Churches, this communion is so profound "that it lacks little to attain the fullness that would permit a common celebration of the Lord’s Eucharist."324

“Outside the Church there is no salvation”

846 How are we to understand this affirmation, often repeated by the Church Fathers?335 Re-formulated positively, it means that all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body:

Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it.336

847 This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church:

Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.337

 

[SteveVH]

Does anything more need to be said?

Thanks, Anna.

 

[Anna_Scott]

Does anything more need to be said?

Thanks, Anna.

You are very kind, Steve. You know me. I go straight to the source.

Peace to you, my friend,
Anna

 

[ufamtobie]

Are Roman Catholics the only people that can be saved?

I have a friend who Is Roman Catholic and he keeps telling me things that seem very judgmental or caustic. If most Roman Catholics are this judgmental, I’m not sure if I ever will join the Roman Catholic Church. I watch the recorded mass at the Roman cathedral on TV and I find a ton of similarity to the way we worship at my Anglican church. My friends and I love watching the rector at this Roman Catholic cathedral because he is so very enthusiastic about what he is saying and he is so excited about being so precise.

Greatful,

The Catechism of the Catholic Church: 838 "The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honored by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter."322 Those "who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church."323 With the Orthodox Churches, this communion is so profound "that it lacks little to attain the fullness that would permit a common celebration of the Lord’s Eucharist."324

Ufam Tobe

 

[GaryTaylor]

Right, LG also doesn’t state Roman Catholic, its states;

Paragraph 3.- “The Church Is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic”

In not positive however I believe the EO for example uses’s the same terms, as do all the Apostolic Churchs. The point that all are called to be in communion with the See of Peter. doesn’t eliminate them from Grace.

Peace

 

[sallybutler]

Are Roman Catholics the only people that can be saved?

I have a friend who Is Roman Catholic and he keeps telling me things that seem very judgmental or caustic. If most Roman Catholics are this judgmental, I’m not sure if I ever will join the Roman Catholic Church. I watch the recorded mass at the Roman cathedral on TV and I find a ton of similarity to the way we worship at my Anglican church. My friends and I love watching the rector at this Roman Catholic cathedral because he is so very enthusiastic about what he is saying and he is so excited about being so precise.

I was baptized when I was a teenager and I have been a Christian all my life. I believe that I am saved and I believe that my family is saved.

I do not believe that Roman Catholics hold a monopoly on salvation.

As others have posted, this is not the official teaching of the Church.

Unfortunately, your friend may also be reacting to how many people treat Roman Catholics. I realize that this is not an excuse, but some people get overly militant after years of both subtle and overt comments. It is sometimes hard to (as my daughter reminds me) just smile and nod.

 

[JustaServant]

I do not believe that Roman Catholics hold a monopoly on salvation.

And non-Catholics do not hold a monopoly on fanatics.

 

[Anna_Scott]

And non-Catholics do not hold a monopoly on fanatics.

Indeed–as the Article on Baptist vs. Catholic Beliefs thread clearly demonstrates.

Peace,
Anna

 

[Anna_Scott]

Right, LG also doesn’t state Roman Catholic, its states;

Paragraph 3.- “The Church Is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic”

In not positive however I believe the EO for example uses’s the same terms, as do all the Apostolic Churchs. The point that all are called to be in communion with the See of Peter. doesn’t eliminate them from Grace.

Peace

Hi Gary,

“We believe in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church” is part of the Nicene Creed, which we recite every Sunday.

Peace,
Anna

 

[bz5]

Have you ever seen the Journey Home program on EWTN? One thing I love about it is that the people who have “come home” to the Catholic church don’t “bash” their old beliefs, but hold the Catholic church’s view that all religions have some truth in them. They often express gratefulness to their Protestant background, for example, for giving them a love of the Bible, and they acknowledge true Christianity among members of their former churches.

I’m sorry about the bad witness given by your friend, but I don’t think it’s typical. When you listen to Catholic Answers Live, EWTN, etc…you will not find this attitude. I honestly think it’s much more typical to hear the Catholic church called a cult, etc…by “TV preachers” of other denominations.

 

[rinnie]

Are Roman Catholics the only people that can be saved?

I have a friend who Is Roman Catholic and he keeps telling me things that seem very judgmental or caustic. If most Roman Catholics are this judgmental, I’m not sure if I ever will join the Roman Catholic Church. I watch the recorded mass at the Roman cathedral on TV and I find a ton of similarity to the way we worship at my Anglican church. My friends and I love watching the rector at this Roman Catholic cathedral because he is so very enthusiastic about what he is saying and he is so excited about being so precise.

I was baptized when I was a teenager and I have been a Christian all my life. I believe that I am saved and I believe that my family is saved.

I do not believe that Roman Catholics hold a monopoly on salvation.

Well to begin with you should not judge the Catholic Church by the people who attend it. Do you not think there are people the same in your current Church.

We are saved by Jesus Christ. He gave us the Sacraments here on earth to help us stay in a state of Grace. You either accept his sacraments or you don’t.

But the main point is you are only held responsible by God for what you know and understand.

I am sorry this person has soured you on the faith. Please don’t blame us for the people who really don’t understand their own faith.

We are all saved by the death of Christ and washed clean at our baptism. The rest is up to us. We either live our life and follow Christ or we don’t. But in the end its Gods mercy that saves each and every one of us.

 

[Telstar]

And non-Catholics do not hold a monopoly on fanatics.

I agree with this, wholeheartedly. I have an internet friend that’s sedevacantist, and they’re extremely fanatical about this particular subject, as well as many others (including the TLM, which I do sympathize with that part of it). We’ve gotten into some real :slapfight: over this subject. They claim that they’re the only ‘true Catholics’ and everyone else (including RC) is going to hell. Some of their friends on a ‘social network’ type website, have said some equally nasty things about the Pope and the RCC that have caused me to back off from our friendship, because I didn’t want to get into any more of those :slapfight: with any of them. I didn’t want to be the cause of them saying things that verge on blasphemous or are outright blasphemous.