The Second Vatican Council

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I have a question concerning the Second Vatican Council. I heard from a friend that the Second Vatican Council had said something to the effect that even those of the rest of the major worlds faith’s will be saved as well. Does anyone know if this is true? Does the Catholic Church believe that people aside from christians will atain salvation through there faith and not through Christ? Or did he misunderstand what the second Vatican Council said? If It was misunderstand, what did the 2nd Vatican Council say about universal salvation?

Thank you all and I wish the blessings of God upon you all,

~Brendan M
 
Not true–it says that individuals may be saved if they are ignorant of the truth through no fault of their own, but they desire to give themselves completely to God and obey all His commands, etc. But this is not any new doctrine. But then they are saved not by their false religion, but by their union by desire with the Body of Christ.

Again, just like we don’t say all Catholics will be saved, we don’t say all of any group will be saved. God judges every person individually.
 
You may want to go to the source.

Lumen Gentium is at vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html

One relevant statement (from paragraph 8) is:

This Church constituted and organized in the world as a society, subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the Bishops in communion with him,(13*) although many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside of its visible structure. These elements, as gifts belonging to the Church of Christ, are forces impelling toward catholic unity.

A couple of other relevant paragraphs:
  1. The Church recognizes that in many ways she is linked with those who, being baptized, are honored with the name of Christian, though they do not profess the faith in its entirety or do not preserve unity of communion with the successor of Peter. (14*) For there are many who honor Sacred Scripture, taking it as a norm of belief and a pattern of life, and who show a sincere zeal. They lovingly believe in God the Father Almighty and in Christ, the Son of God and Saviour. (15*) They are consecrated by baptism, in which they are united with Christ. They also recognize and accept other sacraments within their own Churches or ecclesiastical communities. Many of them rejoice in the episcopate, celebrate the Holy Eucharist and cultivate devotion toward the Virgin Mother of God.(16*) They also share with us in prayer and other spiritual benefits. Likewise we can say that in some real way they are joined with us in the Holy Spirit, for to them too He gives His gifts and graces whereby He is operative among them with His sanctifying power. Some indeed He has strengthened to the extent of the shedding of their blood. In all of Christ’s disciples the Spirit arouses the desire to be peacefully united, in the manner determined by Christ, as one flock under one shepherd, and He prompts them to pursue this end. (17*) Mother Church never ceases to pray, hope and work that this may come about. She exhorts her children to purification and renewal so that the sign of Christ may shine more brightly over the face of the earth.
  2. Finally, those who have not yet received the Gospel are related in various ways to the people of God.(18*) In the first place we must recall the people to whom the testament and the promises were given and from whom Christ was born according to the flesh.(125) On account of their fathers this people remains most dear to God, for God does not repent of the gifts He makes nor of the calls He issues.(126); But the plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator. In the first place amongst these there are the Mohamedans, who, professing to hold the faith of Abraham, along with us adore the one and merciful God, who on the last day will judge mankind. Nor is God far distant from those who in shadows and images seek the unknown God, for it is He who gives to all men life and breath and all things,(127) and as Saviour wills that all men be saved.(128) Those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience.(19*) Nor does Divine Providence deny the helps necessary for salvation to those who, without blame on their part, have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and with His grace strive to live a good life. Whatever good or truth is found amongst them is looked upon by the Church as a preparation for the Gospel.(20*) She knows that it is given by Him who enlightens all men so that they may finally have life. But often men, deceived by the Evil One, have become vain in their reasonings and have exchanged the truth of God for a lie, serving the creature rather than the Creator.(129) Or some there are who, living and dying in this world without God, are exposed to final despair. Wherefore to promote the glory of God and procure the salvation of all of these, and mindful of the command of the Lord, “Preach the Gospel to every creature”,(130) the Church fosters the missions with care and attention.
You may also want to take a look Nostra Aetate (dealing with non-Christian religions) at vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651028_nostra-aetate_en.html
 
Burning4Christ said:
I have a question concerning the Second Vatican Council. I heard from a friend that the Second Vatican Council had said something to the effect that even those of the rest of the major worlds faith’s will be saved as well. Does anyone know if this is true? Does the Catholic Church believe that people aside from christians will atain salvation through there faith and not through Christ? Or did he misunderstand what the second Vatican Council said? If It was misunderstand, what did the 2nd Vatican Council say about universal salvation?

Thank you all and I wish the blessings of God upon you all,

~Brendan M
Click to expand...
Rule Number 1: Whenever someone else says such a thing, get them to show you where the document allegedly says that.

Rule Number 2: Read the quote in context of the article itself.

Rule Number 3: Read in context of the time and intent of the writers.
 
ABostonCatholic said:
Rule Number 1: Whenever someone else says such a thing, get them to show you where the document allegedly says that.

Rule Number 2: Read the quote in context of the article itself.

Rule Number 3: Read in context of the time and intent of the writers.
Click to expand...
I understand that, I was asking if it was true. Im a student of hermanutics and Theology I understand the process of investigating such things. I was just seeing what Catholics have to say about it.
 
Burning4Christ said:
I understand that, I was asking if it was true. Im a student of hermanutics and Theology I understand the process of investigating such things. I was just seeing what Catholics have to say about it.
Click to expand...
Often we get people on here who say, “My friend said that Pope so-and-so said this!” We tell them to ask their friend for the source, and the only source they have is some anti-Catholic book which is filled with all sorts of factual errors.

But you asked if whether or not what your friend said the council said was true. Before you come here, you need to find out your friends source. If you’re still bothered and want to know how we understand that particular passage, then come here and ask what we understand by it.
 
ABostonCatholic said:
Often we get people on here who say, “My friend said that Pope so-and-so said this!” We tell them to ask their friend for the source, and the only source they have is some anti-Catholic book which is filled with all sorts of factual errors.

But you asked if whether or not what your friend said the council said was true. Before you come here, you need to find out your friends source. If you’re still bothered and want to know how we understand that particular passage, then come here and ask what we understand by it.
Click to expand...
Alright, I understand. I had a suspicion that this guy had his facts wrong, or that he had misinterpreted what the Council had said.
Thank you for your answers, God bless you.

~Brendan M.
 
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