Invincible Ignorance of a Protestant

[ColinFaust]

I’d appreciate a discussion regarding salvation outside of the church. I’m aware of the teaching regarding the 3 essential points concerning the teaching that the CCC teaches in paragraphs 846-848. I’m also aware of the extreme complexity of this issue, as well as the importance of understanding that God alone the judge of salvation- not us. However, I’d like to dig a bit deeper into “invincible ignorance” and how that differs from normal “ignorance”. Particularly, how to apply that to real and common examples- a step that I have never really heard anyone take and which I’m sure often makes people uncomfortable.

For example, let’s say we have a good, devout Protestant that takes his/her Christian life seriously. This person isn’t fervently “anti-Catholic”, yet is aware of the Catholic Church and is clearly ignorant regarding it being the fullness of truth and Christ’s True Holy Church…and obviously decides to stick with his/her Protestant denomination. Does this level of ignorance qualify as invincible ignorance? My gut would say no…in which case would this soul be in grave danger?

I don’t know if I’ve gone too far in trying to figure this out- only asking because (like many others) I have family members who are still Protestant and clearly blind of the truth of the Catholic Church. It’s hard getting a handle on one’s culpability and responsibility for that ignorance.

 

[Fauken]

I’m not sure what the difference is between invincible ignorance and regular ignorance.

Invincible ignorance means they didn’t know through no fault of their own. For example, a child spends his whole short life in a cave and never once had a chance to hear about Jesus. He died ignorant of Christ through no fault of his own. Regular ignorance, however, can mean that people purposefully chose to ignore or avoid evidence that could prove them wrong.

 

[GladTidings]

It’s one thing for the person in the example you gave to think the Catholic Church is, “okay” and that’s it. Its another thing altogether if the Holy Spirit has reached them and they fully realize the truth regarding the Catholic Church, and they do not convert. Is it a sin? I don’t know.

As a parallel, lets say someone who is a cradle Catholic finally realizes something they have been doing this whole time is a sin and they need to take it to confession. What if they don’t? In this case, that is not a good idea.

 

[abucs]

I think living in the spirit of Christ is the basic foundation of Christianity but I also think that divisiveness weakens Christianity.

So it sounds the friends you are talking about are in this situation. Do they realise the division that is caused by Protestantism and/or non denominational churches etc. and therefore are culpable of weakening Christianity and/or God’s plan of salvation through the Church?

Should they reasonably be expected to realise this?

I’m sorry, I really don’t know.

I would resist the idea though that Christianity is only about an individuals response to God unconnected from the universal Church of Christ. I think Jesus did found a Church and it is important to be part of that.

Again, I don’t know much other than those thoughts.

Regards.

 

[Genesis315]

As someone above said, invincible ignorance is ignorance without fault. However, one can be ignorant through pride, sloth, malice, etc., etc., neglect of truth, or due to willful sins which darken the intellect and harden the heart.

Note, invincible ignorance only applies to revealed truth, not morality. The Church teaches that “no one is deemed to be ignorant of the principles of the moral law, which are written in the conscience of every man.” (CCC 1860).

 

[ColinFaust]

Note, invincible ignorance only applies to revealed truth, not morality. The Church teaches that “no one is deemed to be ignorant of the principles of the moral law, which are written in the conscience of every man.” (CCC 1860).

That is an excellent point, and I embarrassingly actually wasn’t aware of that. Makes perfect sense. I appreciate the response!