To my Catholics friends. I just read an article this morning that Pope Benedict XVI has approved a document..

Question

...that states that other Christian denominations were not true churches, and that they did not have the "means of salvation."

The article states that:

Pope Benedict XVI has reasserted the universal primacy of the Roman Catholic Church, approving a document released Tuesday that says Orthodox churches were defective and that other Christian denominations (i.e. Protestants) were not true churches.

The article is here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070710/ap_on_re_eu/pope_other_christians;_ylt=AsVeVoQprAdDpQMxHHvvuCEDW7oF

It stated that the document set off a firestorm of criticism among Protestant and other Christian denominations because it said they were not true churches but merely ecclesial communities and therefore did not have the "means of salvation."

Catholics, what do you think of this document? Do you believe that the Orthodox churches are defective, and the Protestant denominations do not have the "means of salvation"?

Courteous answers only please.

Memo to Joshua Kjelstad: Yeah, and its only been about 15 seconds since I've read a non-humorous sarcastic non-answer.

Thanks for at least reading my question though. Please feel free to give a real answer anytime. Take care.

Answer 1

Here is the full text of the new document that states nothing new: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20070629_responsa-quaestiones_en.html

Most Christian denominations believe that each of them is the fullest version of the Church of Christ.

While the Catholic Church also believes that she is "the highest exemplar" of the mystery that is the Church of Christ, she does not claim that non-Catholic Churches are not truly Christian. 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 2

Martin Luthur stated that salvation can exist outside of the church but not outside of Jesus. Since then the christian faith has diverged into a million different denominations. Most contradicting this or that or intrepreting the scritpures to their own ends (no wonder the un-believers mock us). The difference between all these and the catholic church is that the catholic church can trace its roots back to the apostles. Simeon Peter ("the rock on which I will build my church"--Jesus) was the 1st pope (not the roman emporer Constantine as some protestants inply--they need to research History). The Church (Catholic) was built by Jesus. Jesus started the Catholic church. The protestant churches were started by men and women some having "visions" others breaking away because they thought they were better or because of the corruption of some of the Clergy. Others wanted to purify the Church they even called the Pope the anti-christ. The Bible states no single anti-christ; it says that anyone who doesn't believe is anti-Christ. Satan is at work in this; to implore and aforism,"united we stand divided we fall" that is what the enemy is doing is dividing us so it's easier to conquer us. Jesus started one church, but I think that the protestants should not be told they will not have salvation. When John came to Jesus and said, that there were these guys healing and teaching in your name and shouldn't we stop them; Jesus replied, "No if they are healing and teaching in my name let them be, if they are not against us then they are for us".

Answer 3

It is true - and not having read the document yet I can only assume that this is what the Pope meant - that Protestant churches do not have the means of salvation in and of themselves. However, each Protestant denomination does have a measure of truth, received from the Catholic Church. Otherwise they could not be considered Christian. Since it is the truth of Jesus Christ that leads to salvation, one could say that Protestant denominations, even though their existence is a direct violation of the stated will of God, and even though they each teach much that is untrue, do offer the means of salvation to the extent that they adhere to genuine Christian truth, that is, the teaching of the original Christian Church founded by Jesus Christ, that is, the Catholic Church.

Answer 4

>>To my Catholics friends. I just read an article this morning that Pope Benedict XVI has approved a document that states that other Christian denominations were not true churches, and that they did not have the "means of salvation."<<

You have been misinformed. The phrase "means of salvation" does not even appear in the document. See for yourself:
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20070629_responsa-quaestiones_en.html

Answer 5

Nothing new in the document. This sort of thing has been in official Catholic teaching for a long time--this new document is just a restatement of that.

Back when I was Catholic, I thought it made sense, too. If you really believe in a divine magic man who set up an organization, and you use that organization as the definition of a church, then it's hard to call the little subcults that split off from the main cult the same thing. By definition.

That would be like insisting that MonolithSoft is really just another version of Square, since the one is descended from the other and includes a lot of people who used to work for Square.

Answer 6

I think its obvious that there are peoples and groups in this World who wish to divide Americans so widely apart, so as to destroy us. Don't allow it. One thing we all have in common is being Americans; if we lose site of that, we are doomed.
The Pope had no reason to say such a thing. Instead of making inflammatory comments about other churches, he should be focusing on the still-present problem of homosexuality among his Priests. Whats he doing about THAT? People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

Oh, and if anyone cares to check: In Rev1, John is told to send a message to each of
7 churches: out of the 7, only 2 are approved of by Christ, AND THEY BOTH TAUGHT THE EXACT SAME THING:

You will find those two approved churches at Rev 1. 2:8 amd 3:9, Smyrna and Philadelphia. If your church does not teach who the Kenites are, then you are in a church that is NOT APPROVED OF BY CHRIST. The Catholic Church not only doesn't teach that, but doesn't teach practically anything at all. I know, i went to
Catholic School, Church, Sunday School.

The true Church of Christ does not have a denominational name, nor does it have any building. It is the true followers of Christ, and His Living Word, period. People can fight all they want, but thats the real deal.

Answer 7

The Pope is only reasserting what has always been. He did not make this up, it has always been true.

That said, I do not know that it means no one can be saved in the Protestant churches. If they truly seek the truth and seek God, and they are convicted in their hearts of their beliefs and desires, I think they can find salvation.

But the Catholic Church is the Church started by Christ himself and it continues. The Protestant Churches were born of heresy.

I was a Methodist for 30 years and I've been Catholic for 10 years. I believe that the Catholic Church is the one true Church. But I know many Protestant's who love and follow God and are true in their desire for him. I believe they are saved and united with the Catholic church through their faith.

Answer 8

Even protestants are "indirect" members of the Catholic Church because they have been baptized into the body of Christ.

The true teaching is that salvation can extend to those outside the boundaries of Catholicism. It's just that they don't have the whole truth and full knowledge of God that the Catholic Church teaches.

As for the pope's statement, it is nothing new that Christ only started one true Church. He did not tell Peter that he was building his "churches"...He said "church"...as in singular. The pope did not say that salvation isn't available to others. They just do not possess the full truth and knowledge of God's plan of salvation, and therefore do not participate as fully in that plan as Catholics.

Answer 9

Quite a few people--and quite a few trolls, not counting as "people"--have been asking about this all day. Most of the civilized folks have been saying that it doesn't affect them anyway, as they neither follow Catholic teachings nor the pope, so it's irrelevant what he has to say. It's also important to point out that this isn't a new doctrine--the Catholic church has always said this about itself. All Benedict is doing is reaffirming that as the Church's position about itself. Considering the bashing that Catholics endure from fundamental evangelicals, it's only fair. Most religions consider themselves to exclusively be the one true path, anyway, so even if only for that reason, this really isn't remarkable news.

Answer 10

>>>...that states that other Christian denominations were not true churches, and that they did not have the "means of salvation."<<<

I assume you read the AP story. The "did not have the 'means of salvation'" part isn't true.

Nowhere does the Vatican document say such a thing.

I suggest you read the document for yourself.

Go to www.vatican.va .

Go to "site map."

Scroll down to the "D" section -- click on "Doctrine of the Faith, Congregation of."

Click on "doctrinal statements."

That will take you to the document. It's dated June 29.

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