The Vatican has issued a new doctrinal statement confirming the essential role of the Catholic Church in God's

Question

.....plan for salvation.

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=52288

How do non catholic christians feel about this?

In that case fireball266 why did you waste your time answering?

Answer 1

It doesn't matter as we don't recognize the pope as anything but a political leader.

We need only look to the Bible to find that the pope and Catholic church fall far short of the New Testament pattern.

The Bible is the only thing that matters. Whose words will judge in the end? Not the pope, not the vatican... God's.

Answer 2

As a Protestant Christian, I disagree wholeheartedly with the Vatican's view on the Church. If they want to stick with Apostolic traditions, then how about the admonition from the Apostle Paul, when writing to the churches and addressing the question of which apostle's teachings are the more accurate, Paul told fellow Christians that it is not the apostle they should serve, but Christ Himself, and Christ's teachings are those which should be followed. Paul acknowledged that we all have our own interpretations of how we ought to follow Christ's teachings, but that if we are serving Christ, then we can be different, yet all one church body.

I see the Catholic church today as one where there is reverence for the Pope, so much so, that what he says, goes and if people are priviliged to be able to meet with him, they are greatly blessed. The Pope is a mere human being, and the Apostle Paul discouraged adoration of himself and anyone else who was serving God. The focus should be on Christ - not the Pope, not the Vatican, not anyone but Christ. If we are sticking with the words of the Bible, then we are not wrong. We may have a different spin on how to practice the teachings of the Bible, but no single church is better than another. For the Vatican to make such a statement that Protestant churches are really not a "true church", is a hypocritical lie, because nowhere in Paul's teachings, nor any other apostle and disciple of Christ's, did it say there has to be an apostolic succession. That was mere political mandates brought about by the early Catholic church and continued to this day, and has nothing to do with the actual teachings of the most well-known Apostle of the Christian chuch - Paul, nor is it consistent with the teachings of the Lord and Saviour we serve, Jesus Christ.

Answer 3

The catholic church is always trying to say their religion is the best. But its hypocrisy. The Bible say that you should have no other gods before God and You should not make/worhsip any idols. Yet they have 1,000s of statues of virgins and "saints" that they pray to. Why would you pray to a statue when you can pray to the only one who can help you. GOD. Throw the statues in the fire and they will burn they cant do anything for anyone because they are man made. The bible say that if I accept Christ as my Lord and savior and if I follow what the Bible says then I am saved. I dont need some man (the pope) to tell me that I have to be catholic. The bible never mentioned catholicism. When it said I have built my church on this rock in the bible it was not talking about peter. It was talking about Jesus. Jesus is the rock. Metaphors people come on its 5th grade. The people are the church. Any people who accept Jesus are considered the church


20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

1CO 3:9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.

16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?

17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

Grrr that bothers me when the pope trys to put himself in the position of God. Catholics get this through your head the Bible does not mention yall. The Bible does not say worship the pope. And dont tell me you dont because I see how catholics cry, and kneel for him when they see him. The only one who deserves that is God. Not a statue, not the pope, but God. Thats how I feel about this.

Answer 4

I believe in ONLY what the Bible says and not what a guy in Rome says. Most of the "laws" the Pope decrees are not in the Bible. Catholicism is joke. If you understand what the Bible says then you'd understand this.
The Pope likes to make things up every now and again and people are just supposed to go along with it. The Bible does not change and that is why the Catholic Church doesn't recommend it's follows read it. They are worried that people will wise up to the fact that a large number of their beliefs are a farce.
If you really want to get technical a large number of their beliefs are also contradicting to the Bible, God's word. One prime example is confession. Catholics believe you have to confess your sins to the priest. That's wrong. As long as you ask for forgiveness from God, in prayer, you are automatically forgiven if you are saved. That is another screwed up belief that Catholics have as well. The Bible states that if you belief that Jesus Christ died for our sins and you take him as your personal Savior you are saved and are going to heaven. That's it! The catholics have a whole host of requirements that have to be met and maintained in order to be saved and not one of those involves taking Jesus as your Savior.

So, knowing this, in actuality, being Catholic DOES NOT mean you are Christian. Saying Non-Catholic Christians is a misnomer. People who follow the Bible are the only Christians.

Answer 5

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.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 819: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p3.htm#819

With love in Christ.

Answer 6

It does not bother me; indeed, I would expect any person who is serious about his worship to feel pretty much the same way. Virtually every "Christian" denomination feels that it has the truth and understands the path to salvation, else why be a part of it in the first place? Can we imagine a professed Christian saying "Well, I don't believe my religion is the right one and I don't believe my religion is the truth but I am part of it anyway."

Any person who is serious about his worship ought to be believe it is the truth.

As for all the different denominations, if they were all truly Christian, why do they differ markedly? Why do they contradict each other in their doctrines and actions?

Some people say that what is important is to have the basic: that is, faith in Jesus Christ and the details don't matter.

That is like saying don't worry if you have cancer so long as your heart is strong. The heart is the basic muscle in our bodies. Can it defy cancer? Of course not. Other "details" matter.

So if the Pope feels that Catholicism is the one true path, or that certain aspects of it ought to be heeded for salvation, that is an understandable position. And if other denominations feel the same way, that too is understandable.

However, what we believe to be truth ought to be acceptable to the true God. It is He who determines how we ought to worship him. We conform to His standards, and not the other way around. So, do our doctrines and practices match up with those of the first century Christians? Truly? Then we are on the narrow road to salvation of which Christ spoke at Matthew 7:13-14.

Hannah J Paul

Answer 7

I believe that it doesn't matter about what religion you are they are all man made! now God may use these Churches to reach out to people if they are based in the truth. I see no where in scripture where I would have to become a catholic to be saved. The Bible states that it is my faith in Jesus that leads to Salvation. I would be very concerned about any religion who wants to put themselves in the middle of that, because God will deal with them. Revelations states "not to add or take away from God's word". I encourage all people not just catholics or non-catholics to read the bible for themselves and establish their own relationship with Jesus "John 14:6".

Answer 8

It's not a new statement, it was issued in 2000, and it just reaffirms the RCC stance. So... nothing new! We knew they didn't like us, but they haven't for almost 500 years, when Luther tried to make some reasonable changes and they told him it was heresy!
Let's see... putting the Bible in the language of the people so they could read it? Heresy???
Doing Mass in the language of the people so they could understand it? Heresy???
Basing everything the church did on scripture? Heresy???
Salvation through grace and not good works? Heresy???

So... how do I feel? I don't really care! I know what I confess and what I believe, and I know I have salvation through justification.
On the down side... it just means more annoying emails from my SIL about how Lutherans are wrong and I need to convert!

Answer 9

Ok, here's the "REAL SKINNY" on the Catholic churchs' "Essential Role" & "Salvation"!!! In 1965 I was a Sophomore in High School here in Tucson, AZ. and the "Product" of a "Mixed Marriage". My Father was raised (not by His choice) as a Lutheran. And likewise my Mother was raised (again not by Her choice) as a Catholic. My brother & I were USED as PAWNS by my Mothers "Side" (Catholic) to "Further the Catholic Empire"!!! We were "Forced" by the "Catholic church" & Grandma to attend "Catechism & church Functions" as part of a "Pre-Nuptial Agreement" forced upon our Parents as a "Condition" of being "Married in the church"!!! This is how the "WICKED & EVIL Catholic church" Uses LITTLE CHILDREN to CONTROL THEIR MEMBERS!!!!!!!! Neat Huh!!! My poor Father, Bless His Soul Oh Lord, was then Forced to "Pay" (EXTORTION MONEY) for my brother & I to be able to be Baptized, & go to church & "Catechism"!!! When we moved out to AZ., for my Mothers health, the Catholic church told my Father Exactly where We Had to Live & Exactly what church He now had to "Pay" for Us to Attend!!! My mother & Father (due to my Mothers Incurable Disease) had many Issues. I & my brother both went to the local "Papa", Nuns & Lay people asking for help for our Parents. We were told that because this was a "Mixed Marriage" that they just couldn't get involved!!! My Mother died on the night I graduated from P.V.H.S. & even then NO One from the Catholic Organization came around!!! But that's Ok because by that time a school friend had invited me to his church, where I was Introduced for the FIRST TIME to a Bible & Jesus Christ!!! In All my years (starting at age 6) of attending the "Catholic Indoctrination" (BRAINWASHING), Confession, Confirmation & Communion, was I EVER TOLD ABOUT GODS' PLAN OF SALVATION for Mankind!!! When I Accepted Christ & was about to be Identified with Him through my Choice of Baptism, what do U think happened??? Remember now, this was mid to late 60's, and it was becoming "Popular" to be "Born Again" with people finding Christ & leaving the Catholic church by the Droves!!! Suddenly, the day before my Baptism a "Priest" came a knockin at my door!!! He was new to the "Parish" and I being cordial, invited him in. He had heard about my "Finding Christ" and wanting to "Jump Ship" to become a "Baptist" and was Suddenly Very Upset & Concerned for my "Leaving the church", but never even mentioned the Status of my Spiritual Well Being!!! I told him that I was Surprised too, at just seeing Anyone from the church even come around here. I told him about the family Problems & how we were told that they couldn't get Involved!!! He said that as he was new, he had no knowledge of the past but was told to come over here & talk with me. He then says that if I didn't stop this Nonsense of becoming a Baptist, he was told that the church would "Excommunicate Me!!! Where upon I LAUGHED IN HIS FACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I looked him straight in the EYES & said "I guess U haven't heard a word I've said have U??? For 2 years now I have been trying to "Communicate" with the church with no response until now, after I have found the TRUTH and Accepted Christ. So ...like tell me PLEASE, HOW MUCH MORE "EXCOMMUNICATED" CAN U MAKE ME??? U know, I should think U would be happy for Me getting closer to God, but Ur just afraid of losing my Fathers Money aren't U??? I think U had better leave now and don't worry, we WON'T BE BACK and neither will U!!!" I ended up leading my entire Family to Christ including my Mother before she died, which is why it didn't matter that No One from the Catholic church showed up at her death!!! So, as U can see, I have been there & done that so I know EXACTLY what the Catholic church is ALL ABOUT and Why I will FOREVER SPEAK AGAINST IT AND OTHER ORGANIZED RELIGIONS WHO WORK THIS SAME WAY!!!! The Catholic church has NEVER made SALVATION the PRIMARY FOCUS of their Existence, rather the "Perpetuation" of their "Dynasty" using CONTROL TACTICS LIKE THIS & WORSE to maintain Their WICKED & EVIL EMPIRE at the cost of Peoples Souls who follow their Dogma faithfully!!!!!!!!!!! John

Answer 10

I expected no better It is little wonder that the Church of Rome and Communists have so much in common. They cannot accept that they can ever be in the wrong. They both twist the truth to their own advantage. Hopefully the central faith has not been twisted. Time and time again I have expressed my admiration and indeed envy for their strength of faith only to realise that to often it is fear of the priest and superstition rather than fear of God and love of Christ

Answer 11

I ingore most of what comes out of the Vatican. If it's not in the Bible, I don't believe it.

What must be said here, however, is there are two meanings of the word Catholic. If you notice in the article, sometimes it is capitalized and sometimes it isn't. Catholic may mean universal or it may mean the "Catholic" church as in the denomination. In fact, the Apostles creed recited at many Methodist churches says "I believe in the holy catholic church", but it's not referring to the denomination, rather the church universal consisting of all Christians.