It depends (as it depends for us all, no one has assurance). Only God can see into their heart and judge if they sincerely sought God’s Truth with an open heart. I am sure that there are protestants who reject the Church purely out of pride. They cannot admit she may be right. Likewise, I’m sure that many more are doing their best to find the Truth and so far that has led them to stay Protestant. Either way, we should always pray for them and do our best to help them to come home.
I think this is a misrepresentation of what The Church set forth in Vatican II. That falls almost in indiferentism and liberalism. following yoru conscience does not saves you, neither doing what you think that pleases God.
I have read in an RC apologetics book that the eternal destination of the person is determined by the state of the soul at the point of death. Those who have unconfessed mortal sins wil be in eternal damnation. If this is correct, would it follow then, that those who don’t receive forgiveness through the Church’s requirement-sacrament of confession- would have these sins on their soul and have no hope for heaven? Are my assumptions correct or logic flawed?
Catholics who die with unrepented mortal sin may face eternal damnation. People of other faiths who don’t even distinguish between mortal and venial sins, and who simply believe that Christ has redeemed them – who knows but God? He can and will save whoever He chooses to, and is not bound or confined by the sacraments of the Church. The sacraments of the Church do provide an ordinary means of obtaining graces and absolution – but they in no way trap God or prevent Him working outside the sacraments.
Possibly even for those who leave the Catholic faith to become Protestants. We can’t judge the heart. Only God can. None of us has any guarantee of salvation. For all we really know life could end at death. We may have faith and hope that it does not, but no one really knows for sure…yes, even fundamentalist Bible Believing Born Again Protestants do not know for sure!!!
Yes, but isn’t there an absolute that either the Catholic teaching is correct or not? If the church teaches, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that those who have not obtained forgiveness for sins through the sacrament will not enter heaven, then those of the Protestant faith must not enter heaven. Please help me to understand.
My understanding is that the Church teaches that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is the normative way, but that God is not bound by His Sacraments and may act outside them.
There is something called invincible ignorance, I believe. If someone, through absolutely no fault of their own, does not know that confession is required, they may be ok. The thing is, invincible ignorance is a tough thing to judge. God is the only one who can really do this. Has the person acted in accord with God’s grace? Have they rejected the sacraments out of pride? Does the person truly desire the graces that the sacrament provides but is ignorant that the sacrament is the means of such graces? The best bet is to show everyone the truth and let them make an informed decision. Many people have hardened their hearts to God’s graces. When he nudges them towards the Catholic Church, they ignore Him. These souls are most likely in trouble.
The Church does not teach that the only way to obtain God’s mercy and forgiveness is through the sacrament. It does teach that the sacrament is the ordinary means.
I can relate to this. I would not have been a Christian at all, let alone have eventually entered into the Catholic Church, if it hadn’t been for my devout Protestant grandparents. I accept EENS in the manner I believe it to be taught by the Catechism, that Protestants (at least those actively seeking to follow Jesus) are in “sure, though imperfect” union with the Catholic Church. I don’t believe that my grandmothers are in hell or that my grandfather will go there. They loved Jesus far too much. That said, when asked by Protestant friends or family about the claims of the Catholic Church or about my conversion, I tell them the truth: She alone contains the fullness of Christ’s Truth.
Most Catholics (I think) believe that Protestants of good will can be saved, and as well, people in other religions of good will can be saved. However, I have read various statements, (from before Vatican II), which seem to indicate that it would be difficult. But the teaching seems to have loosened up a bit recently. For example:
I guess that this is what most Catholics believe as a way of getting around these preVatican II statements that we are reading in this thread: that “some people are members of the Church, whether they know it or not”, and so, they are saved. Another quote is:
It’s difficult to ascertain what kind of site the above link goes to. It could be a Feeny disciple. The CCC is our authoritative commentary on all Church teaching that came before it. It doesn’t deny Extra Ecclesiam Nola Salus, but it does expand upon it (ie, there are those united to the Church whether they know it or not or will it or not, ie., faithful Christians not formally united to the Church). Further, it teaches that those born into schism cannot be blamed for that schism. As JPII wrote, it is “a sure and certain norm” for teaching the faith.