How do protestants get to heaven without the Eucharist?

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If only a Catholic priest can change the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ at the mass, and I know that only a Catholic priest can, and didn’t Christ say in the bible that if we do not eat of his flesh and drink of his blood we cannot enter into His Kingdom? Then how are protestants suppose to get to Heaven? I know that other people of other denominations do go to heaven. Does Jesus simply excuse them because of their ignorance? I’m speaking of those who really don’t understand or know that. This is probably an ignorant question. lol sorry if it is. I am just trying to learn since I had been away from the catholic church for probably 50 yrs. until about 5 yrs. ago. I had forgotten almost everything I learned in Catholic school. I’m catching up pretty quick though.
 
Invincible Ignorance is the reason (CCC1791-1793…1793 specifically).

Peace and all good!
 
I think it would be the same answer to the question about the unbaptized. We are bound by the Sacraments, God is not. Someone may be able to give a much more in depth explanation, but basically this is it.
 
God through his mercy can save them. However he doesn’t say that he will save them. we don’t know how he judges that person, damned or saved. That is why we must evangelize the people who believe the Protestant heresy. Their souls are at stake
 
Bayoubeefmaster said:
God through his mercy can save them. However he doesn’t say that he will save them. we don’t know how he judges that person, damned or saved. That is why we must evangelize the people who believe the Protestant heresy. Their souls are at stake
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That sounds more like an inquisition than evangelization. If you start any evangelic discussion with a claim that it is important to evangelize them because their lack of understanding spells damnation, seldom will you win a person over to the faith!
 
I’m not saying that’s how you start to evangelize. I’m just telling us Catholics we need to evangelize Protestants because their souls are at stake. You are right that that is definitely not the way to approach someone though. If I’m still not clear I apologize

God be with you
 
We have the Eucharist, but I know it is not the same (not apostolic succession, etc.). Also, at least where I come from, it is mostly believed that through baptism and faith alone, one is saved.
 
Bayoubeefmaster said:
God through his mercy can save them. However he doesn’t say that he will save them. we don’t know how he judges that person, damned or saved. That is why we must evangelize the people who believe the Protestant heresy. Their souls are at stake
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Good post!

I doubt that invincible ignorance applies to the Protestants with whom I have spoken. They seem to know Catholic doctrine and reject it. One recently told me that he will simply “plead the blood of Christ” at judgement and enter the kingdom of heaven.

The future of their souls is certainly at risk. Prayer and fasting are essential for evangelization. Don’t worry too much about the words.
 
flower_lady said:
If only a Catholic priest can change the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ at the mass, and I know that only a Catholic priest can, and didn’t Christ say in the bible that if we do not eat of his flesh and drink of his blood we cannot enter into His Kingdom? Then how are protestants suppose to get to Heaven? I know that other people of other denominations do go to heaven. Does Jesus simply excuse them because of their ignorance? I’m speaking of those who really don’t understand or know that. This is probably an ignorant question. lol sorry if it is. I am just trying to learn since I had been away from the catholic church for probably 50 yrs. until about 5 yrs. ago. I had forgotten almost everything I learned in Catholic school. I’m catching up pretty quick though.
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Well, it certainly does make it harder to be saved without the Eucharist, considering that it’s Christ Himself.

The Church’s teaching on the matter is that those Christians who are inculpably ignorant of the true teaching of the Church on the matter, or who have not been given sufficient reasons to believe, will not be condemned precisely for that account. If they believe in the one true God, who rewards the good and the bad, and in the Trinity and the Incarnation of Christ, and faithfully cooperate with the graces of God (faith itself is a grace, of course), then they can be saved, by their at least implicit desire for the most Blessed Sacrament.

I hope this helps,
Benedicat Deus,
Latinitas
 
MtnDwellar said:
Good post!

I doubt that invincible ignorance applies to the Protestants with whom I have spoken. They seem to know Catholic doctrine and reject it. One recently told me that he will simply “plead the blood of Christ” at judgement and enter the kingdom of heaven.

The future of their souls is certainly at risk. Prayer and fasting are essential for evangelization. Don’t worry too much about the words.
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Well sort of…invincible ignorance would not be a viable excuse for a protestant who was at one time a Catholic. However, it can apply to those who never were Catholic, Rejection is one thing, but often the reason for not accepting is because it was not presented properly…and if it were not accepted because of questionable kerygmatic practices, invincible ignorance may very well apply.
 
Neofight said:
Invincible Ignorance is the reason (CCC1791-1793…1793 specifically).

Peace and all good!
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This isn’t really a good answer. I know what you mean, but it’s not quite right.

Let me explain:

The Eucharist is Jesus Christ Himself, the Light of the World, the Redeemer of Man, God the Son, the source of all knowledge and wisdom. Ignorance of any kind is not a substitute for Christ, who is the very opposite of ignorance. The Eucharist is the source of the Church’s power, authority etc. because it is Christ Himself.

The Protestant who through no fault of his own, yet sincerely seeks God and the true Faith, will, if he cooperate with the graces of God, be brought to salvation, but not without faith, hope and charity. Since they must possess charity to be saved, they must also obey the Divine commandments cf. If you love me, keep my commandments (Jn. 14:15). Now Christ Himself commands us to partake of the Eucharist: Unless you eat of the flesh of the Son of man, you shall not have life within you (Jn. 6:53). So, this Protestant, ignorant by no fault of his own, must therefore, at least implicitly will to receive this Sacrament.

So, the Protestant who is invincibly ignorant of the Eucharist will not be condemned for not receiving the Eucharist, but that invincible ignorance will not save him either. Invincible ignorance is no substitute for faith, hope, charity, the sacraments, the Church, Christ etc.

I hope this helps,
Benedicat Deus,
Latinitas
 
Are you saying Protestants are saved by contrition and ignorance? I don’t think I want to rely on those things.

Why join the one and only Church that was started by Christ, contains the fullness of truth, and provides grace for the salvation of souls?

Can a soul go to heaven if a person doesn’t love Jesus? Christ told us, “If you love Me, then you will obey My word”. His word is only found within the Church that He founded. Jesus gave only one set of keys to Peter. Those were for the Catholic Church. There were not additional sets for the churches founded by Luther, Calvin, Smyth, etc.
 
Nelka said:
So you are free to sin?

What about the two commandments Jesus gave?
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No, not free to sin. I confess my sins (all of them) directly to God. Yes, need to follow the Ten Commandments, too. Should have been more clearer.
 
Neofight said:
Well sort of…invincible ignorance would not be a viable excuse for a protestant who was at one time a Catholic. However, it can apply to those who never were Catholic, Rejection is one thing, but often the reason for not accepting is because it was not presented properly…and if it were not accepted because of questionable kerygmatic practices, invincible ignorance may very well apply.
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Out of kindness or empathy, we have a tendency to put the bar too low on invincible ignorance. Proper presentation is only an excuse for someone lacking in super natural faith. God wants everyone to know and accept the truth. He gave us the Holy Spirit to move the hearts of non-believers. People are obligated to seek the truth. Knock and it shall be opened. Seek and ye shall find.

It is often laziness or pride that keep a person in ignorance. These are vincible.
 
MtnDwellar said:
Out of kindness or empathy, we have a tendency to put the bar too low on invincible ignorance. Proper presentation is only an excuse for someone lacking in super natural faith. God wants everyone to know and accept the truth. He gave us the Holy Spirit to move the hearts of non-believers. People are obligated to seek the truth. Knock and it shall be opened. Seek and ye shall find.

It is often laziness or pride that keep a person in ignorance. These are vincible.
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Yes, laziness or pride is what can keep a person in ignorance, But its not always the laziness and pride of the evangelized, but of the evangelist.

If your brother doesn’t understand, you don’t throw up your arms and say, “I tried, but he has rejected the truth”, you have failed at the command to evangelize and will face the consequences.

This is yet another textbook example of St. Augustin telling us that the closer we look at our own faults and shortcomings, the less serious those of our neighbors appear.

Peace and all good!
 
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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:

847 This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church:
Code: 
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
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scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p3.htm
other faiths are talked about too.

It is not the protestant’s fault that their ancesters fell from the Church is the view Catholism has… however if someone was part of the Catholic church and now protestant, they are held accountable for they knew the full Truth and rejected it.
However there are many Catholics who left for protestantism because of ignorance of their first religion.

I would say yes from what I have heard and see here, they can get to heaven, but that is God’s wisdom.
 
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