I would like to know what Catholics think of this statement by Pope Eugenius?

Question

"The Roman Church firmly believes, professes, and proclaims that those not living within the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews and heretics and schismatics cannot become participants in eternal life, and that no one, whatever almsgiving he has practiced, even if he has shed blood for the name of Christ, can be saved, unless he has remained in the bosom and unity of the Catholic Church."

Answer 1

I'm not catholic, but it sounds as if it is standard catholic brainwashing material.

Answer 2

Sounds like this was from about 400 years ago. And Whatever a pope says is what Jesus would say. But we have to remember that 500 years ago the catholic church believed that the earth was the center of the universe and excommunicated Galileo for suggesting that we weren't. Personally I don't agree with this statement. But back then it was the accepted by the Catholics.

Answer 3

You should note that this statement was made back in 1441 and was directed to those who were leaving the Catholic Church.

This statement is not directed towards anyone living today or for the past 500 years. The Caholic Church does not blame the schisms of the past on those living today.

The catholic Church of today calls Protestants brothers and sisters in Christ while many Protestants say that Catholics are
pagans, idolators, and damned.
By contrasts, Protestants today blame Catholics of today for the Inquisition and Crusades that happened centuries ago.

Answer 4

This was the stage of development of our knowledge and understanding of Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition in 1442. For the entire document, see: http://www.dailycatholic.org/history/17ecum11.htm

Many fundamentalist Christian Churches seem in this stage of development today.

It is not wonderful, that the constant guiding enlightenment of the Holy Spirit (Holy Tradition) has brought the Catholic Church to a larger and truer view of salvation?

Today 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.

For more information, see:
+ Nostra Aetate, the Declaration on the Relation of the church to Non-Christian Religions: http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651028_nostra-aetate_en.html
+ The Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 819 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p3.htm#819

With love in Christ.

Answer 5

I think he Pope Eugenius was the pope from 654-657.
I also think you are quoting Pope Eugene IV ( A.D. 1441 ) from the " Cantata Domino" Council of Florence.
If you have to go back that far in history to try and discredit a church, then that's saying something.

BTW- I find it ridiculous, but no more ridiculous than the thought held by many Christians today who think a "saved" serial killer like Ted Bundy will get into Heaven while Gandhi and The Dalai Lama will roast in Hell merely because they did not kowtow to God.

Answer 6

Fortunately, that statement was not ex cathedra. Popes are not perfect, and infallible statements are rare. Did you know that there was onle ONE infallible Papal teaching in the entire 20th century?

It IS true that outside the Church there is no salvation, but understood properly, this means that all who are saved - Jew, Muslim, Hindu, whatever - are ultimately saved by Christ and The Church, whether they are aware of it or not.

Answer 7

its was the romans that killed JESUS christ and they have to pay for there disbelife just like in jesus time the jewish church and the romans are full of it GOD is real ISRAEL the bible is real the jews is real GOD love all his people even the romans pope anti christ luv dadp.s call on the name.of jesus christ and be save free gift of his grace and mercy and forgiviness of sins is all you need look the pope is german and the third riche wants to raise to power again political religous and people and money wise nothing to do with god god father movies those people are worse than us the mafia don coleone

Answer 8

I think I'd like to verify the source you got this from because in my estimation that contradicts the Catholic teacing on salvation that I know.

edit: Now that I've read Catholic Crusader's answer I understand.

Answer 9

Opinions are worth about a dime a dozen .

Answer 10

And exactly how is this different from what most Christians believe about Jews, Muslims or any other non-Christian? It's narrower, but the same self-righteous drivel.

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

Answer 11

Boy is HE going to be surprised on Judgment Day!