I’m new to the faith, so I’m grateful for your opinions here.:angel1:
Is it possible to go so far in welcoming dialogue with other faiths that we lose the “No Salvation outside the Church” tradition? Or has that tradition changed, or the way we interpret that teaching?
I realize that the Church recognizes that some people, not having been raised in the Catholic faith, may attain Heaven because they are basically following the consciences that God gave them, etc. and leading good lives. I’m concerned to see that some, not all Catholics, believe that The Church is going overboard in this area of ecumenism.
I haven’t formed an opinion on this yet, as I’m a fairly new:blush: adult convert (since 2004.) Are any of you concerned that there has been a real theological shift in the way that The Church/Vatican, The Holy Father is interacting with leaders (and people of) other faiths?
Occasionally, I will see websites claiming that we should extend a welcoming hand to people of other faiths, but that we no longer are teaching the idea of “No Salvation outside the Church,” and are instead sounding as if we are saying that there is little difference between* any* people of good faith. Is this true? On the other hand, is this a good or bad thing, stressing our similarities rather than our differences?:grouphug:
Not having been raised in the Catholic Faith, I don’t know how others here feel about this. Has there been a huge change since Vatican II in how we address this issue or not? Have teachings changed on how we approach the issue of “No salvation outside the Church?”
I appreciate your wisdom here, and have no personal agenda. I just wonder if the Church is teaching something new, in the opinion of people here who have been Catholics much longer than myself.
Gratefully,
Kathryn Ann:heaven: