Confuzed on this canon

[aball1035]

“Furthermore, we declare, we proclaim, we define that it is absolutely necessary for salvation that every human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff.” (Boniface VIII, bull “Unam Sanctam”);

As for the little boy on an island who has never heard of Christ, how would this fit in? I realize it’s in his heart to be truly Catholic or not, so would it go across the same lines? The little boy in his heart (if his heart was in the right place) would be subject to the Roman Pontiff? Am I on the right track?

Furthermore, any commentary on this that saints have written would be appreciated

 

[Bookcat]

Yes your on the right track

Catechism of the Catholic 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.”

It is not their deeds though that save them…it is Jesus… but he does not hold them accountable for what is not their fault… and to this I would add that I think it can be said that some do not know him or his Church due to faulty presentations etc of them…

It is Jesus Christ who is the Way the Truth and the Life. It is in him and by him that one is saved.

And no one is saved except by him. And it will also be in relation with his body the Church. Even if they do not explicitly know it…

(and if they really knew what the Church is…they would enter and thus look to the Successor of Peter…so just like there other aspects such as you ask can be included implicitly )

(Now someone who explicitly and knowingly rejects Christ etc…he is in a precarious situation…of course it is God who will judge what he knew etc or did not know etc…or other aspects that go into things…and God can still give them grace even in the last moments…(though they should not depend on such) …we do not see all that goes on with a person…)

 

[MarkThompson]

“Furthermore, we declare, we proclaim, we define that it is absolutely necessary for salvation that every human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff.” (Boniface VIII, bull “Unam Sanctam”);

As for the little boy on an island who has never heard of Christ, how would this fit in? I realize it’s in his heart to be truly Catholic or not, so would it go across the same lines? The little boy in his heart (if his heart was in the right place) would be subject to the Roman Pontiff? Am I on the right track?

Furthermore, any commentary on this that saints have written would be appreciated

I am not a saint, but I wrote some commentary on this line in Unam Sanctam here which may be of interest to you.

 

[The_Scott]

I am not a saint, but I wrote some commentary on this line in Unam Sanctam here which may be of interest to you.

This is a great summary, Mark.

It was a very politically harsh time at the turn of the 14th Century. Context always helps!

King Philip said that the pope is subject to the king.
Pope Boniface said the king is subject to the pope.

Boniface VIII expressed this opinion in Unam Sanctam.

P.S.: This was written around 1300 - well before the Reformation. Therefore, there were no non-Catholics at all (excluding the Orthodox, but that’s opening a whole 'nother can of worms). The only non-Catholics would be heretical sects such as the Cathars about 150 years earlier. Therefore, to say that this is proof all non-Catholics will go to Hell is completely anachronistic (not to mention out of context).