Did Vatican II change Church teaching on other religions?

[ricman525]

I have heard stories from people in my parents’ generation about how they were instructed by their priests to avoid all contact with Protestants, even to avoid a street with a Protestant church, because Protestants were “bound for Hell.” From Vatican II documents, it seems that the Church allows for the salvation of souls doing their best to find God and do not know the full Truth of the Catholic Church through no fault of their own.

Did Vatican II change any church teaching on the salvation of non-Catholics, or did it merely clarify teaching that was misunderstood (for example, misunderstood by well-meaning clergy declaring Protestants “damned”)?

Thank you!

 

[Devon_Caffran]

These links should give you the answers that you need. If you have any further questions or concerns that are not answered by this, please [contact Catholic Answers (http://www.catholic.com/home/contact.asp) directly.
Recommended Reading:

• Extra ecclesiam nulla salus
• Salvation Outside of the Church
• What is invincible ignorance?
• How can the Church accept salvation for Protestants?
• Should Catholics try to evangelize Protestants?