Is there hope for me even though I am not Roman Catholic?

[whatisthetruth]

Hi all,

I have been in conversations with many Roman Catholics trying to get an answer to a question I been asking in numerous threads.

It is my hope I can get an answer which we all can learn from.

The question at hand, based on the scenario I presented below,

Is there hope for me to spend eternity in heaven?

If no, then why do you believe there is no hope for me to spend eternity in heaven?

If yes, then how do you believe there is hope for me to spend eternity in heaven?

**I can promise you this,

I am not trying to be a smart alec.
I am sincerely seeking the truth to the below scenario I present to all who want to reply.

I personally am not in the below situation, but I can make a pretty good guess that somebody in prison who our churches visit are in a situation similiar to the scenario I described.**

This is what was stated to me by a Roman Catholic here,

In the Catechism of the church, it states that you cannot repent on your death bed, it just doesn’t work that way, that is why St. Paul says work out your salvation in fear and trembling. It states you will live your life the way you lived it, determines the afterlife.

To that I created the following scenario,

I am a loner, I was, at one time in my life, introduced to the Roman catholic faith and did not take interest.

I have been a thief all my life and eventually I go to jail. I am too old and I will die behind bars.

One day a Christian visits me in jail, talks to me about Jesus and leaves me a bible.

Based on your beliefs,

Let’s assume tonight I am going to die in that jail cell.

if I am about to die a non-Roman Catholic
if I never committed blasphemy against the Holy Spirit

and

if I never get a visit from a Catholic priest in my final moments of my life, again, I will die a non Roman Catholic,

Do you believe there is hope for me to spend eternity in heaven?

If yes, then how do you believe there is hope for me to spend eternity in heaven?

If no, then why do you believe there is no hope for me to spend eternity in heaven?

In other words, I am asking,

Do you believe there is any other way for me to be saved from the fires of hell in my situation desribed above?

This is the one question I can not get a firm answer on either way.

If yes, then how do you believe there is hope for me to spend eternity in heaven?

If no, then why do you believe there is no hope for me to spend eternity in heaven?

I am sincerely seeking the truth of what you believe about eternal salvation.

My thoughts are this,

If the thief on the cross (his deathbed), by faith in Jesus, and with sincere repentatance and confession and belief in the Lord Jesus, can be welcomed back and saved by the Lord, I believe in the same way the Lord will also welome back and save one who…

worships other Gods
worships idols
takes the Lord’s name in vain
dishonors the Sabbath
dishonors their parents
murders
commits adultery
steals (I am the thief in jail)
lies

and

covets.

And don’t we all fall into sin in one of the above?

Question
If God saved a thief on his death bed and let him know of his eternal destiny, why wouldn’t He save us and let us know of our own eternal destiny before we take our last breath?

Do you believe one can leave this earth knowing for sure of their own eternal destiny, with a promise from God just like the thief on the cross, should they die right now?

I personally believe there is a way for the (thief in jail) to be saved which I have expressed in one way or another in different threads here.

In my recent thread, regarding the thief on the cross and the possible message from God being sent through that story, only 1 person responded.

I invite you to respond to,

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=212280

Thank you,

God

truth

 

[Bennie_P]

Yes.

 

[Rolltide]

I don’t have a lot of time to respond, but I believe you will want to investigate what is called the “Act of Perfect Contrition”. If one is truly sorry for their (mortal) sins, they will be forgiven outside of a sacramental confession under two conditions:

1. One must not simply be sorry because they are scared of going to hell, or even because they feel remorse. They must be sorry because they offended God. (In real life conditions, an Act of Perfect Contrition is actually fairly difficult to make.)
2. An Act of Perfect Contrition carries the condition that should the person survive (whatever the situation is), they must obtain a sacramental confession at the earliest possible opportunity. (This condition is imposed because although the person may indeed be forgiven, this cannot be definitively known for sure since the conditions for fulfilling point #1 are difficult, and the Act was made as an emergency measure anyhow.)

I’m sorry to post and run, I’ll give more later, but this should be a good starting point…

 

[reggieM]

In the Catechism of the church, it states that you cannot repent on your death bed

I stopped right there.

Whoever told you that should provide some reference to the Catechism.

I have never seen anything like that in any Catholic teaching.

You can certainly convert on your death bed. It’s not recommended to wait that long, but there are many stories of conversions of people at the time of death.

Perhaps the person who told you that meant to say that “it is not right to put off your conversion until your death bed”. That would be true because God wants us to have more committment to Him than that and we might not have a chance to be fully aware at the time of death. So we need to “make haste while it is still day.”

 

[reggieM]

There is also “baptism of desire” which applies in cases where people die without having access to the sacraments, but they truly desire them.

 

[whatisthetruth]

Thank you all for your answers,

Remember there is no tomorrow I am dying tonight

And no one answered the following,

Do you believe one can leave this earth knowing for sure of their own eternal destiny, with a promise from God just like the thief on the cross, should they die right now?

Bennie, you said yes but to what question?

thank you ,

truth

 

[Harpazo]

Thank you all for your answers,

Remember there is no tomorrow I am dying tonight

And no one answered the following,

Do you believe one can leave this earth knowing for sure of their own eternal destiny, with a promise from God just like the thief on the cross, should they die right now?

Bennie, you said yes but to what question?

thank you ,

truth

You can have a moral assurance, but not an absolute assurance. St. Paul didn’t even have an absolute assurance of Heaven. He said repeatedly that he “hoped to attain Heaven,” or something along those lines.

As long as you die in a State of Grace, then you will be in Heaven. It sounds tricky, confusing, and perhaps blasphemous to what you already believe in whichever denomination you belong. But if you pray that Christ will grant you the grace to understand, He will.

Pace e Bene
Andrew

 

[whatisthetruth]

You can have a moral assurance, but not an absolute assurance. St. Paul didn’t even have an absolute assurance of Heaven. He said repeatedly that he “hoped to attain Heaven,” or something along those lines.

Not much doubt in the following,

Paul’s testimony of the Lord’s grace to his son

1 Timothy 1

The Lord’s Grace to Paul
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

thanks,

truth

 

[petergar]

Although I am Catholic I do not believe Catholic doctrine is the key to salvation.

Lets simplify this –

YES YOU WILL GO TO HEAVEN!

Here is the biblical reasons why:

Luke 23:40-43. But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

This man was not a “Catholic” or even Christian until he realized, acknowledged and believed.

Also consider Luke 15:11-31
Also consider Matthew 20:1-15

Remember Matthew 22:37-39. Jesus replied: " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Do that, even on your deathbed, and you will go to heaven - Catholic or otherwise.

 

[water]

Some of us will go to Heaven, but do not trouble yourself so much if you will go to Heaven. We don’t live for yourself alone.

What I really mean is that Jesus wants you to work with Him and for Him in order to have others recognize Jesus as their Savior.

The more one is aligned with God’s will, the more he sees the truth; the more truth he sees, the more he want to serve the Lord.

The Catholic church helps you aligned with that Truth which in turn helps you follow God’s will clearer.

 

[Blinky]

The penitent thief was an extra-ordinary case. The best hope for you is to get baptized and receive the other Sacraments while you can.

 

[CalmDownWisWins]

Thank you all for your answers,

Remember there is no tomorrow I am dying tonight

And no one answered the following,

Do you believe one can leave this earth knowing for sure of their own eternal destiny, with a promise from God just like the thief on the cross, should they die right now?

…

Why is having “absolute assurance” of your destiny more important than perfecting yourself so that you will be deemed worthy by God to enter heaven?

He who wants assurance is seeking “acclaim”, so that he can boast of his superiority, if not to others then at least to himself.

So the answer to your question is no. But the question is an unworthy question. Would you ask God that question? The only one who could truly answer that question would be God Himself, and would you actually be so bold as to ask Him for assurance BEFORE YOU ARE TO KNOW that heaven would be yours?

Would you also ask Him when Jesus is coming again?

The good thief was a case which showed that no despair is ever an acceptable response to hardship. He didn’t despair but defended “good” from insults from those pestering Jesus, and his active faith in good saved him.

Yes, you can be saved at the last moment. The further you are from the Church, in practice and in doctrine, the less likely you are to be saved because we cling all the harder to that which we should release, our familiar comforting earthly things (sins), at our death out of habitual fear of being “uncomfortable”, and in our clinging to that which makes us “feel better” we are dragged by them into the depths of hell.

Knowing how to “let go” of our sins is why we’ve been given the sacraments. So that we can form good habits of “letting go”.

The reception of “special graces” such as those that the good thief got in that VERY special circumstance would be VERY VERY PRESUMPTUOUS of us to “expect” to save us.

 

[whatisthetruth]

Hi Blinky,

Thank you for responding. I agree with you that “the penitent thief was an extra-ordinary case”

However, I wonder if God is sending us a devine message by that “extra-ordinary case”?

Did you notice my thread?

possibly another message at calvary?

Your thoughts will be appreciated.

When you said,

The best hope for you is to get baptized and receive the other Sacraments while you can.

That would be great advice if I did not eliminate “get baptized and receive the other Sacraments” in the scenario I presented (dying away from the Roman Catholic church).

Also, keep in mind there is no tomorrow.
I am dying tonight.

Blinky and everbody else, I am sincerely trying to get to the core of what Roman Catholics believe about salvation. I believe I am getting closer to an answer all can agree.

I look forward to an answer which all Roman Catholics here can agree on as to give me a clearer picture of what Roman Catholics believe to be true.

The question at hand,

Is there a way for me to be 100% sure of my eternal destination (heaven or hell) while on my death bed as a non-Roman Catholic considering I would stay a non Roman Catholic right up to and including my death?

the closest answer so far is:

Harpazo #7
You can have a moral assurance, but not an absolute assurance.

I have no clue as to the difference between the two.
Can I be 100% sure?

yes_____ no________

Having said that, here is the scenario,

Based on your beliefs,

**As a lifetime thief, jailed for life, having refused to become a Roman Catholic in my life,

I refuse a visit from a Roman Catholic priest

I never committed at any point in my life blasphemy against the Holy Spirit

I do not have the “baptism of desire”**

as reggieM said,

which applies in cases where people die without having access to the sacraments, but they truly desire them

or as you said,

get baptized and receive the other Sacraments while you can

I never got baptized, (the penitent thief was not baptized)

or

I never received the other sacraments, (the penitent thief had no chance of receiving the other Sacraments either)

Given the conditions just stated,

As I am taking my last breaths on my death bed as a non Roman Catholic,

Do you believe there is hope for me to spend eternity in heaven?

If no,** then why**

if yes,

**Do you believe, **
(like what happened with the penitent thief),

as I am taking my last breath,I can be 100% sure that I will wake up to eternal life in :heaven: with Almighty God?

or

Do you believe,
it is only when I wake up in eternity that I will find my eternal destination, whether it be heaven or hell heaven or hell?

Thank you in advance for your answers to my concern

God

truth

 

[ralphinal]

If Paul beleived in assured salvation, please explain this verses

Phil 2:12
“So then, my beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”

Or, how about Peter

1 Pet 1:9
“as you attain the goal of faith, the salvation of your soul.”

Oh, my. Salvation is an ongoing process? But what about the verses about assured salvation? You must integrate them all together with these verses about salvation being an event that happens in the future.

Mt 10:22
Mt 24:13
Mk 8:35
Acts 15:11
Rom 5:9-10
Rom 13:11
1 Cor 3:15
1 Cor 5:5
Heb 9:28

Salvation works like this. Jesus died so that whoever believes will be saved. Once we accept Jesus we are on the way. It is a race through which we must persavere, as we are still tempted. Just because we have accepted Jesus, it does not meant that we cannot fall again. We must continue to strive to be “holy as the Father is holy.” Then, if we make it to the end, we will be with God in heaven.

We are comforted by the fact that Jesus is with us. We have angels to watch over us. We have the rest of the faith community to help us. We have scriptures to learn from. There are lots of things that help. But it is still a daily struggle to stay holy. I am not worried about my salvation, even though I have to deal with it daily. No one should be.

 

[whatisthetruth]

Hi CalmDownWisWins,

I am sorry I am long. It is my hope we can understand each other a little better.

Why is having “absolute assurance” of your destiny more important than perfecting yourself so that you will be deemed worthy by God to enter heaven?

I am glad you asked this question, because this is where I believe one of our misunderstandings lie.

From the question and scenario I posted on this thread, I can see how you can draw the conclusion that

“absolute assurance”

is more important to me than

“perfecting” myself

Let me address your question in reverse.

"perfecting" myself to be like Jesus in any way that is humanly possible is the highest priority of my life.

As you know there are days that gets the best of the best which causes one to sin, including me.

Thank God for His grace and forgiveness and 2nd chances.

Each and every day of my life I strive to,

**turn away from my sin (repentance)

have a desire and/or hate not to fall to Satan’s temptations (sin), thereby I would be doing the things that God hates

have a desire to want and love to do the things which God loves **

Each and every day having done that, I am growing in holiness (“perfecting” myself).

In summary,

**my goal is to wake up each and every day with,

a desire to live each day not to be like…the world (giving into Satan’s desires),

but

a desire to be like Jesus Christ, again (“perfecting” myself each and every day), which is very important to me**.

However, when it comes to salvation, I believe “absolute assurance” is important because…

…well let me ask you

CalmDownWisWins, what do you believe would happen to you while you are on your road of “perfecting yourself so that you will be deemed worthy by God to enter heaven” you died right now instantly…cardiac arrest?

Are you “absolutely assured” !00% sure you will go to heaven?

yes_____ no_____

Here lies the difference between our beliefs.
I can answer that question with a definite yes.
If you can not,
I am asking why not?

I am beginning to get the feeling that…

Roman Catholics, at any point in their life, are never 100% sure (“absolute assurance”) about their own eternal destiny should they die “right now” until they actually enter heaven or hell for eternity.

Is that a true statement?

yes_____ no______

If no,

when can Roman catholics experience absolute assurance on this side of eternity?

The answer to that question is the reason for this thread.

I may not get a chance to continue on the road, as you say, of “perfecting” myself tomorrow.

I may die as I am typing this post.

If I should die, it is an awesome experience I can not describe knowing that if I do die right know, I am 100% sure I will spend eternity in heaven.

Obviously, tomorrow is a different story. I may fall to sin and then I need to sincerely confess and repent to God, be forgiven of my sin/s and continue back on the road to “perfecting” myself.

I hope that explained where I am coming from a little better

thank you

truth

 

[AquinasT]

truth,
I think the correct answer is, we don’t know.
Jesus told the thief on the cross that he would be saved, only after the thief demonstrated a desire for salvation. If a dying person shows no such desire, and even rejects the Church and God’s grace, then we cannot know for certain what his or her eternal fate will be. That is up to God. If the rejection is due to poor catechesis (a bad experience with the Church or bad information about the Church) then perhaps that person will not be held culpable for such a rejection. Perhaps that is part of the process of purgation after death - let’s not forget the doctrine of purgatory. God’s mercy is abundant; we should not doubt the possibility of such a person’s salvation as through fire.
What we do know is that Christ established the Church as the mechanism by which we come into contact with His saving grace. If we reject that channel of grace our situation is worse than if we leave ourselves open to it, but that does not bind God’s hands. We are bound by the Church, God is boundless.
We should not be afraid of saying that we simply do not know the will of God in every circumstance. And this is one of those circumstances in which God’s Will eludes us. He wants us to be partakers of His Grace in the Church. If we reject the Church God may still reach us, but we have set ourselves apart from the surest way.
To be saved is to be incorporated into the Body of Christ. I am 100% sure that Christ’s death on the cross saves all those who are in the Body of Christ. That is where our assurance lies. The thing we cannot be 100% sure of is who is in and who is out.
The Catholic Church is the visible Body here on earth. In the Church you can find the BEST means of incorporating yourself into His Body - the BEST way to salvation - the way that Christ established. But since God is not limited to the Church He can work in other ways. These ways are not as visible to us, and not as sure. They separate one from the fullness of Truth found in the Church. But with God salvation is possible.
Purgatory completes our incorporation into the Body by conforming us more perfectly into the image of Christ. Those who were in communion with the Body on earth stand a better chance of attaining salvation in the end. Their souls have been conditioned - they ran the race - they opened themselves to Grace. Those who rejected the Church or who did not recognize Christ’s Body are in worse condition.
But again, we cannot know God’s will or the awesome power of His mercy.
Thomas

 

[whatisthetruth]

Hi ralphinal

To your ending comments

We are comforted by the fact that Jesus is with us. We have angels to watch over us. We have the rest of the faith community to help us. We have scriptures to learn from. There are lots of things that help. But it is still a daily struggle to stay holy.

May I add “and not falling to the temptations of Satan and sinning”?

to which I absolutely agree

If Paul beleived in assured salvation, please explain this verses

Phil 2:12
“So then, my beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”

I will answer with pleasure,

Once one is saved, one is not necessarily always saved.

And when you said,

Salvation works like this. Jesus died so that whoever believes will be saved. Once we accept Jesus we are on the way.

I believe it is definitely a good start, I believe there is more just as you said

Just because we have accepted Jesus, it does not mean that we cannot fall again.

Absolutely agree

We must continue to strive to be “holy as the Father is holy.”

Absolutely agree

I believe most of what you are asking me is answered in my previous post to CalmDownWisWins

starting with

“perfecting” myself to be like Jesus in any way that is humanly possible is the highest priority of my life.

In my desire to be like Jesus, I may fall to sin and then I need to sincerely confess and repent to God, be forgiven of my sin/s and continue back on God’s path again.

I believe that is what is means to work out my salvation.

“Salvation is an ongoing process”

Salvation is a way of life, keeping the faith each and every day is not easy for a lot of people, including myself. I thank God I didn’t die in those low times. God only knows where I would have wound up.

Then, if we make it to the end, we will be with God in heaven.

In due respect,
what if you do not make it to the “end”?

I went on to say to CalmDownWisWins,

I may not get a chance to continue on God’s path tomorrow. I may die as I am typing this post.

It is an awesome experience I can not describe knowing that if I do die right know, I am 100% sure I will spend eternity in heaven.

ralphinal, so when you said,

I am not worried about my salvation

To me, it can only mean one of three things (I invite you to add the fourth if it applies to you)

Your statement “I am not worried about my salvation” could mean that,

A) You are “absolute assured”, 100% sure you will spend eternity in heaven if you were to die right now.
Praise God If this is the case

or

B) You **are not **“absolute assured”, 100% sure you will spend eternity in heaven. But because of “____________” you are not worried about spending eternity in heaven f you were to die right now. (basically God is a good God and He will let you into heaven)

or

C) You **are not **“absolute assured” you will spend eternity in heaven should you die right now, (and since God is a good God, He will let you into heaven)

or

D) Something I did not mention

If “A” is not your answer ralphinal, I am confused by your statement suggesting “no one should be” worried about their salvation.

why wouldn’t you be worried about the chance you might not spend eternity in heaven?

I am sorry ralphinal, but your comment scares me.

I know we are in disagreement on a lot of issues, but when it comes to eternal life there is only 2 choices,

Heaven and the only other alternative is Hell

I strive to live my life for the Lord each and every day. And If I fall short on my quest to do that, I know I can wind up in hell.

It is at those times I thank Him for His overwhelming grace and forgiveness which I can receive, by faith, according to His word.

I hope I answered your questions

I look forward to your response

truth

 

[whatisthetruth]

Hi AquinasT,

truth,

I am 100% sure that Christ’s death on the cross saves all those who are in the Body of Christ. To be saved is to be incorporated into the Body of Christ. That is where our assurance lies.

I agree 100%

I think the correct answer is, we don’t know.

The thing we cannot be 100% sure of is who is in and who is out. If a dying person shows no such desire, and even rejects the Church and God’s grace, then we cannot know for certain what his or her eternal fate will be. That is up to God

Those who were in communion with the Body on earth **stand a better chance **of attaining salvation in the end. Their souls have been conditioned - they ran the race - they opened themselves to Grace. Those who rejected the Church or who did not recognize Christ’s Body are in worse condition.
But again, we cannot know God’s will or the awesome power of His mercy.

“His mercy” for others, I agree

but how about “His mercy” for ourselves?

I am sorry for the misunderstanding. I am NOT talking about judging anyone elses salvation. I know that is up to God, not us.

AquinasT, nothing against you, but I would not want you to be the judge of my salvation and quite frankly, I sure as heck do not want to be the judge of your salvation.

Jesus told the thief on the cross that he would be saved, **only after **the thief demonstrated a desire for salvation.

I 100% agree.

However, this is the reason for this thread which I am failing to make a connection, and I do not know how else to say this,

AquinasT, when you said

Jesus told the thief on the cross that he would be saved, **only after **the thief demonstrated a desire for salvation.

I hope you agree with me that,

after Jesus told the thief "today I will remember you in paradise", the thief was 100% assured of his eternal destiny in heaven both expressed by his FAITH in Jesus and then Jesus’ promise to him after seeing that the thief’s faith was real and sincere.

Agree?

**I believe, just like the thief knew of his own salvation, so can we know about our own salvation but **only after, I demonstrate a desire for my own salvation or you demonstrate a desire for your own salvation to God and act in faith according to His word just like the thief did

Having said that,

I am asking,

Do Roman Catholics believe one can have “absolute assurance” of their own salavation, eternity in heaven, just like the thief had from the promise of Jesus Himself, should one die right now, this instant?

In other words,

Just like “Jesus told the thief on the cross that he would be saved”, can Jesus also tell you, AquinasT you will be saved **only after **you demonstrate a desire for salvation to God and act in faith according to His word so that if your were to die right now, you will be 100% sure “absolute assurance” of spending eternity in heaven?

**Yes_____ No______ **

I am not sure Roman Catholics agree with me.

If Roman Catholics do not,

I am curious as to why Roman Catholics believe God would give a promise of eternity in heaven to a thief on a cross, who desires salvation, with no religious background and not give that same promise to all of us should we die right now?

We should not be afraid of saying that we simply do not know the will of God in every circumstance.

I agree

Purgatory completes our incorporation into the Body by conforming us more perfectly into the image of Christ.

Here lies the problem, you believe there is a purgatory I do not.

I believe the microsecond we die we are at heaven’s “gate”.

Whether or not we will spend eternity in Heaven will rest on the decision we made in our life about our faith in Jesus Christ.

That is why you here about Salvation is by faith alone and not by work.

The works are evidence of one’s faith in Jesus Christ.

Look at my previous posts where I explained in detail.

I hope to hear from you again

God bless,

truth

 

[whatisthetruth]

Bump

Hi all,

I want to apologize to all who read this thread.

I posted comments made to me by an unnamed Catholic, in my opening post, without the person’s permission.
I realize that I have erred due to the fact the comments were made to me in PM.

I also realize that not only did I hurt the person who made the comment but in effect hurt the Catholic community by posting a comment made by a member in PM, which may or may not be a true belief of all in this community or of the Roman Catholic church.

Plus, I am sure the person NEVER expected to see his words to me on the public board.

Realizing the bad judgement I used to post the comments, I admit I was totally in the wrong, there will never be a repeat of this incident.

I am sorry for the poor decision I made, I ask your forgiveness.

Truth

 

[MarcoPolo]

Is there hope for me to spend eternity in heaven?

If yes, then how do you believe there is hope for me to spend eternity in heaven?

I only read the first part of your post, because you know how I feel about your lengthly posts. But the answer to above is Yes.

From the Catechism:847 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.

848 "Although in ways known to himself God can lead those who, through no fault of their own, are ignorant of the Gospel, to that faith without which it is impossible to please him, the Church still has the obligation and also the sacred right to evangelize all men.
So if you innocently do not recognize the Catholic Church as Christ’s Church, you can still be saved.