No one comes to the Father except through the son

[Genesis315]

Membership in the Church is something strictly defined to include Baptism, profession of the true faith, reception of the same sacraments, and hierarchical communion. Baptism is the door to the Church, but it is just a beginning. It incorporates one into Christ, at least partially. But, as the Vatican II decree on ecumenism states:

Baptism therefore establishes a sacramental bond of unity which links all who have been reborn by it. But of itself Baptism is only a beginning, an inauguration wholly directed toward the fullness of life in Christ. Baptism, therefore, envisages a complete profession of faith, complete incorporation in the system of salvation such as Christ willed it to be, and finally complete ingrafting in eucharistic communion.

Ott’s Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma notes how Baptism creates an indestructible bond with the Church, even if it is less than membership:

Although public apostates and heretics, schismatics and excommunicati vitandi are outside the legal organisation of the Church, still their relationship to the Church is essentially different from that of the unbaptised. As the baptismal character which effects incorporation in the Church is indestructible, the baptised person, in spite of his ceasing to be a member of the Church, cannot cut himself off so completely from the Church, that every bond with the Church is dissolved.

 

[meltzerboy2]

Does the Church teach that non-CATHOLICS may be saved or that non-CHRISTIANS may be saved? I thought that Protestants have some kind of advantage compared to those who are not Christian. What is the official Church teaching on this point?

 

[meltzerboy2]

That’s OK. I’m just throwing out the question to whoever may know if there is an official Church position regarding Protestants and salvation.

 

[Reuben_J]

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (salvation for others) would specifically address this.

Generally speaking, we trust on the mercy of God. Of course, there’s the invincible ignorance as the mitigating factor.

It is not for us to judge on who will go to hell. In fact the Church do not make this determination, only those who go to heaven. One reason for this is the recognition of the mercy and forgiveness of God.

When we say about the Son being the way to the Father, that is because God’s plan of salvation uses the Son to do it.

Outside of this plan, it is difficult, though not impossible, simply because the fallen nature of human’s propensity to sins. Without the grace of the Savior, it therefore would be extremely difficult.

God bless.