According to Catholic theology, are other Christians part of the Church Militant and Communion of Saints?

Question

According to Catholic theology today, are other Christians considered part of the Christian Church in that of the Church Militant (Roman Catholic Church), the Communion of Saints, and if deceased the Church Triumphant, and Church Suffering?

Are other Christians considered to be part of the Body of Christ, or do Catholics truly believe Bapitism in the Roman Catholic Church is the only way to truly be in the Church Militant spiritual bond with the Christian Church and Communion of Saints while on Earth?

I am not Catholic, this is purely out of an interest of study and learning about the world's largest religion, so rather than religious answers just some answers on what the Catholics believe would be nice, though the religious answers were interesting.

Answer 1

Only Christians who have been baptized into the Roman Catholic Church are considered members of it.

All Christians are considered part of the Body of Christ.

All Christians are part of Christ's Church on Earth - the Church Militant - but not in full communion with it because they are not Catholic, which is where His Church subsists. Non-Christians are not part of Christ's Church, but are still People of God.

The Communion of Saints "refers also to the communion of 'holy persons' (sancti) in Christ who died for all." "We believe in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth [the Church Militant], the dead who are being purified [the Church Suffering], and the blessed in heaven [the Church Triumphant], all together forming one Church." Anyone who is a 'holy person' in Christ, Catholic or non, living or dead, is part of the Communion of Saints.

Answer 2

To be a Christian is to be a believer of Jesus Christ and a follower of His teachings. The basis of the beliefs of a Christian is the Holy Scripture better known as the Bible. He must have been baptized in one of the Christian churches.

Christians are divided into different groups or religious denominations or sects. Among these are the Roman Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans, Pentecostals, Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, etc.

I believe when you say Church Militant, you are referring to the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). And when you say other Christians, you are referring to those not belonging to RCC.

Remember that all Catholics are Christians but not all Christians are Catholics.

I was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church. Now, I consider myself as a non-denominational Christian, a plain follower of Jesus Christ.

Salvation is not a monopoly of any one denomination. It is not a guarantee that because you belong to a particular church, you will go to Heaven.

I am for the unification of all Christians. Instead of being divided because of differences in the interpretation of the same Bible, we should unify and become one. Who can tell us which is right and which is wrong, which is true and which is false? Our fellowmen? Look at the proliferation of different Christian denominations and sects.

Revelation chapters 2 and 3 tell us who we should listen to—the Spirit or the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised that He would send (John chapters 14, 15, and 16). Revelation says: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

Answer 3

According to Saint Paul you do. The word Catholic means "all embracing," or "according to the whole." Holy means "set aside for God," and the communion of saints is clearly in Revelations and implied in the Gospels. Paul asks for the saints to pray for him. Any church which splits off is by definition not all embracing, it rejects embracing all hence the 4200 independent Protestant denominations in the US, all of which have been invited back into the Catholic Church. According to the whole means the belief must have been held across all time and place, anyone who splits from these beliefs is not Catholic. The word Catholic was well in use by the year 100 and seems to be a synthesis of what Paul taught. Further, 2 John prohibits changes from tradition. For example, you do not get to make up your own service since the apostles left services for use which are still in use to this day. I am not Christian, but I have read all of the ancient documents. Except to Protestants, because Luther removed them, it is clear that starting your own group is strictly forbidden or changing the leadership of the group from the apostolic leadership created by Jesus and the Twelve (see for example the ordination of Mathias in Acts). It isn't optional. In what of Jesus' sayings is there a statement you can stop sharing brotherly love and communion with another over intellectual differences on the importance of foot washing (to give an example from the Anabaptists). In what of Jesus' sayings are you permitted to stop sharing communion, except the excommunication one? That one would imply self excommunication makes one non-Christian by the act of being Protestant. This isn't a creedal issue, this is a scriptural issue and clearly is forbidden by all the early writings both inside and outside scripture. It is the only way, until Luther. As a neutral outsider, the answer is absolutely clear, yes this must be believed to be Christian. It must also be practiced to be Christian.

Answer 4

Non-Catholic Christians are part of the Body of Christ and the Communion of Saints.

The Catholic Church teaches:

Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements.

Christ's Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church.

All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him.

With love in Christ.

Answer 5

Interesting question.

Although I have nothing against any person of any belief including an athiest, I have to say that I can't see the christianity in the religious belief system of the Catholic church. I am hard pressed to believe that we as sinners can change the laws of the bible around to our way of thinking and be holy because of it. It is not the mother of all churches, it is the mother of all harlots and abominations.
I'm not trying to make waves, but the bible is clear on this and the bible is what I stand on.

Answer 6

dont worry about all that get go check out the Pastafarian worship.

Answer 7

Forget the Vatican library of bllx. You either believe in Him upstairs or you don't. Why complicate things?

Answer 8

I believe they are now embracing ecumenism.

Answer 9

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2B.HTM