Does the Catholic Church really hold the only path to salvation?

Question

The Pope reasserted a Papal doctrine that goes back centuries, stating that the Catholic Church is the only true church and that other Christian denominations are not true church's in that they do not adhere to the Pope and therefor do not have the power of salvation. Does the Pope have the power to dictate who can be saved and who can not? Back your answers up with Scripture, please.
http://www.timesonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18636070&BRD=2305&PAG=461&dept_id=478566&rfi=6

Catechisms and Bishops do not count as Scritpure

Answer 1

The Catholic Church does not hold the only path to salvation.

“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).

What the Pope is neglecting is the Biblical definition of “the church.” The Bible does not call a sect or a building the church, but rather the followers of Jesus are the church.

As the Apostle Paul suggests in Ephesians 2:19-22, you (born again Christians) are the church, built on the foundation of Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. And as a Christian, you are a holy temple—a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.
http://www.breakawaymag.com/GodFaith/A000000512.cfm

http://www.learnthebible.org/q_a_body_of_christ.htm

The Holy Scriptures declare that the Church is the community of (born again) believers under the Lordship of Christ.
Acts 2:47; 2:41-47; 1 John 1:7; Rom. 1:18,21
http://theevangelicalchurch.org/

I am saved because of grace through faith. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephsians 2:8-9).

I am not Catholic, but I am saved. I hold the beliefs of the Evangelical Church. http://www.efca.org/about/doctrine/. The Evangelical Church does not hold the only path to salvation. Jesus does! I have attended several other sects that preach the truth (i.e. Baptist, Wesleyan, non-denominational churches, community churches, Bible churches). Test the church for the following beliefs:
1) Scriptures are God-breathed and without error (New and Old Testament)
2) We were created in the image of God but are a fallen people because of sin
3) Believe in one God, eternal, creator of all things, perfect, and manifested in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit
4) Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, and shed his blood on the cross for our sins and rose again on the third day
5) That the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His Resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit and, thus become children of God.
6) That the true Church is composed of all such persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the Body of Christ of which He is the Head.

The church is not what saves us; it is the redemptive work of Jesus. Those who believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and accept Jesus into their hearts.

“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, ‘Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.’ For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ Romans 10:9-13

http://www.neverthirsty.org/dload/som/SOM29.pdf

Answer 2

All the Pope said was that the full understanding of Jesus Christ and the road to salvation is to be found within Catholicism. Anyone who is baptized is still a Christian and non-Christians are also loved by God. Neither of these groups are, contrary to what some people yelled, condemned to hell.

But the Church offers the Eucharist, the body and blood of Jesus. This and Papal supremacy and the Sacraments make it unique.

Not particularly surprising. What did people expect the Pope to say? "Well, Catholicism is quite fun but then so is Islam. I also hear that Hindus have great parties and as for Zoroastrianism, it's really cool, man."

Give us a break. He's a Catholic. He's the Catholic! Nobody is obliged to be Catholic, but if they say they are they should live as though they are. Which means they have to observe Catholic teaching. Requiring that they know what Catholic teaching is in the first place.

It even states in the link you posted "The Catholic Church denies salvation to no one"

Answer 3

Christianity dates back for centuries also. I believe that the Catholic is based on Christian doctrines. Also, Catholics, Christians, Baptists, etc. teach from the same Bible and believe in the same God if I'm not mistaken. No, the Pope does not dictate who enters heaven and who does not. God decides who is let in to heaven. There are many scriptures to back up that God is the decision maker. Your best bet would be to go to a pastor or teacher of God to help you understand what the Bible says about salvation. Also, there are study bibles that have been written so that anyone can understand the Bible. God Bless You!

Answer 4

You have misunderstood Catholic doctrine.

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-Catholics cannot receive salvation. 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.

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

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 5

so would anyone say that a person from a country who teaches something other than jesus and the widely accepted version of the holy bible has no chance at heaven when they have never heard anything other than what they were taught? That dont sound right at all and the god I believe in would not be so vile.
We all believe what we were taught and most refuse to hear anything else and some never hear anything else.. Could it be that all theories, religion, belief, perception could hold a bit of truth and we each only see a very small piece of a much larger puzzle in which everyone and everything is included in the real truth?
Man seems to tweak things to suit them. There is a lot of tweaking, sensationalizing, adding to detracting from to suit specific agenda's. Everyone claims to have the "whole truth" which says to me that no one does. Now thats a conclusion based in logic.
God help mankind,

Answer 6

If the Catholic Church does not have that power, than no church does.

I suggest you read the document directly, rather than relying on other's faulty interpretation of it.

Here's the link:

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20070629_responsa-quaestiones_en.html

There is the Catholic Church, the universal "sacrament" of our salvation, which (2000 years ago) sprung from the pierced side of Jesus Christ, as he hung dead on the cross.

Jesus remains at the head of his church, he promised to bless and keep his church forever, and he personally assigned the Holy Spirit as the church's permanent and official comforter and guide.

Jesus never founded, authorized, empowered, or guaranteed any other similar type of entity or organization ... nor would he ever need to.

The highly visible church that Jesus founded converted most of the known world for Christ over an initial 1500 year period, while simultaneously saving western civilization.

It maintains one complete, consistent, and superbly documented collection of divine truth, which was initially provided by God and which was faithfully handed down from the original apostles (including all the authentic scriptures) ... and in spite of the sinfulness and failings of some who belong to it ... continues to cooperate today in Christ's great work of redemption and salvation ... 24/7 & 365 ... all around the world.

Then there are the (currently) 51,000 various protestant Chistian denominations that were founded by men ... with no divine authority whatsoever ... over the last 500 years.

Not surprisingly, the teachings and practices of all these groups vary widely, depending on which MAN's opinions or teachings you happen to accept.

Which one would you choose?

Answer 7

Some Roman Catholics are indeed true Christians and believe in the Salvation of Jesus Christ - so don't despair.

Answer 8

The Pope did not say that non-Catholics cannot have salvation. He stated that many non-Catholics are one with us through Christ and thereby members of the one true Church.

Vatican II stated, "It is through Christ's Catholic Church alone, which is the all-embracing means of salvation, that the fullness of the means of salvation can be obtained."
Protestant observers were present at Vatican II. Weren't they paying attention?
Some Protestant churches, if not all, deny salvation to the Jews. The Catholic Church denies salvation to no one, neither Jews nor even atheists. All of humanity belongs to her, at least in spirit. Those not formal members are saved by what's Catholic in their beliefs.
Satan's greatest triumph was getting Adam and Eve to sin. His second great achievement was splintering Christianity. Did Christ pray in vain that they be one? Who do you want to serve, Christ or Satan?

The only thing Pope Benedict XVI said was that the Catholic Church has all the means to salvation and Protestantism does not.
One glaring thing missing is the Eucharistic Christ: "Let me solemnly assure you, if you do not eat the flesh of the son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. He who feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has life eternal, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood real drink. The man who feeds on my flesh and drinks by blood remains in me, and I in him." (John: 6:53-56)

Answer 9

You better reread the Pope's statement. He did not suggest that non-Catholics cannot be saved. In fact, he said exactly the opposite. But he is of course correct in saying (1) that Jesus Christ founded only one Church; (2) that He never approved of any other church being founded in His name; (3) that He said all men were to belong to the one Church He founded; and (4) that history plainly identifies the Catholic Church as the one Church founded by Christ for all mankind.

Answer 10

First of all, your question is based on an incorrect statement.

The Pope did not say that only Catholics are going to heaven. He was grossly mis-quoted by the AP.

Go to www.Catholic.com and read what the Pope REALLY said.

Catholics do not believe that non-Catholics are going to hell, we do believe that the Catholic Church is the original Church and has the fullness and all of the Sacraments that Jesus gave us.

Hope this helps!

Peace be with you!