Inter-Faith Series, Church: What is the Catholic position toward other religions?*?

Question

*After Vatican II.

Answer 1

The Catholic Church teaches:

+ About Non-Catholic Christian Churches:

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.

+ About Judaism:

"The Jewish faith, unlike other non-Christian religions, is already a response to God's revelation in the Old Covenant. To the Jews "belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ"; "for the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.

+ About Islam:

The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day.

+ About other non-Christian religions:

All nations form but one community. This is so because all stem from the one stock which God created to people the entire earth, and also because all share a common destiny, namely God. His providence, evident goodness, and saving designs extend to all against the day when the elect are gathered together in the holy city.

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 2

It is amazing how people who have NO idea what the correct answer is will offer their uninformed opinion. Following is copied from the catechism of the catholic church:

The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honored by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter." Those "who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church."

When she delves into her own mystery, the Church, the People of God in the New Covenant, discovers her link with the Jewish People, "the first to hear the Word of God." The Jewish faith, unlike other non-Christian religions, is already a response to God's revelation in the Old Covenant. To the Jews "belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ", "for the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable."

The Catholic Church recognizes in other religions that search, among shadows and images, for the God who is unknown yet near since he gives life and breath and all things and wants all men to be saved. Thus, the Church considers all goodness and truth found in these religions as "a preparation for the Gospel and given by him who enlightens all men that they may at length have life."

Answer 3

The Second Vatican Council's Declaration on the relation of the Church to non-Christian religions reaffirmed that there is only one Church of Christ that is fully in possession of the truth of the Gospel; that is the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. Although other religions and denominations differ considerably from the RCC, their teachings are often seen as containing elements of truth in their beliefs and practices. In an often quoted passage, the Declaration states, in part:

"The Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in these religions. She has a high regard for the manner of life and conduct, the precepts and teachings, which, although differing in many ways from her own teaching, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that truth which enlightens all men."

Answer 4

Vatican II officially recognized that many other religions have some part of the divine truth revealed in them.
Many other 'churches' are part of the One Holy Catholic Apostolic church; even if they are currently separated (politically).
Since Vatican II, the Catholic church has been working very hard to restore Christian Unity among the various churches.
It was John Paul's wish that Orthodox & Catholic be re-united.
You can expect that to happen very soon.
Other mainline Protestant churches have been in dialogue.

Answer 5

The Catholic Church believes that there are elements of God's holiness in the other major faiths/religions.

Answer 6

Catholics can interpret the Catholic Church 2 ways.

A. That it is the bond and fellowship that all believers have in Christ despite actual membership and attendance of Catholic mass and rights. Therefore all Christians that hold to Christ are honorary Catholics.

B. That it is what it is on earth and people who do not accept or engage in Catholic mass and rights are outside the church and therefore outside of Gods grace.

Answer 7

The Vatican dose not recognise other religions, but it dose tolorate them, the catholic religion stems from Christ, all others are simply religious spurs that were started by men that could not abide by the pope and catholic rule.

Answer 8

Well like most religions (that includes Xians too) all religions hate each other. That's why there is so much pain and suffering in this world. All because "my god is better than your god". How screwed up is that? Take religion out of the world and what would you have? Not a perfect world but a lot less hate.

Answer 9

According to the average North American or European Catholic bishop, all spiritualities are valid, wonderful, and grace-filled, except one -- traditional Catholicism, which must be stamped out at all costs. (sorry, I couldn't resist)

Answer 10

Well essentially that they are wrong and need to become catholics. That may sound bad but hey atleast they are not attacking other countries to do that.