is there salvation outside the Catholic Church?

Question

Is there salvation outside the Catholic Church?

"The most Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes and preaches that none of those existing outside the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews and heretics and schismatics, can have a share in life eternal; but that they will go into the "eternal fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41), unless before death they are joined with Her; and that so important is the unity of this ecclesiastical body that only those remaining within this unity can profit by the sacraments of the Church unto salvation, and they alone can receive an eternal recompense for their fasts, their almsgivings, their other works of Christian piety and the duties of a Christian soldier. No one, let his almsgiving be as great as it may, no one, even if he pour out his blood for the Name of Christ, can be saved, unless he remain within the bosom and the unity of the Catholic Church." - Pope Eugene IV, Cantate Domino (1441)

Answer 1

Outside the invisible confines of the Catholic Church, no.

Outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church, yes.

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 2

True in one sense, however if we refer to salvation and Comminion they are two different aspects of Christ's revelation and the Vaticana Catechism contradicts this rather flat statement that none of those existing outside the Catholic Church can have a share in life eternal but are destined for Hell. Baptism is the doorway to salvation as long as you are Baptised in the name of Father, Son, Holy Spirit. The communio with Our Church can only be had by the Sacraments especially the Eucharist.

Answer 3

The church does not save anyone. Only God can do this thus salvation exists with God alone.

You quoted: "The most Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes and preaches that none of those existing outside the Catholic Church .... can have a share in life eternal"

God's word is the final authority and thus I'd like to see some scripture to back this one up. You will find none.

Answer 4

In a practical sense, yes there is salvation outside of the Catholic Church, meaning that those who are not in communion with the Catholic Church, through God's mercy, can still be saved.

In a theological sense, since the fullness of Truth was entrusted to the Catholc Church by Jesus Christ Himself, then there is no salvation outside of the Church.

That being said, I am certain that there are those who profess to be Catholics that will not be saved. At the same time, if one lives a Sacramental Life of Grace in communion with the Catholic Church, there is reason to hope he or she will be saved.

Only God knows who will or will not be saved.

Answer 5

"Is there salvation INSIDE the catholic church?" might be a better question.

Since they abandoned the truth at or before the 4th century, at what point did they cease to represent true Christianity?

...There is only one "sacrament" in the New Testament.

Ephesians 2:13 At one time you were far away from God. But now you belong to Christ Jesus. He spilled his blood for you. That has brought you near to God.

Hebrews 10:19 Brothers and sisters, we are not afraid to enter the Most Holy Room. We enter boldly because of the blood of Jesus.

Hebrews 12:24 You have come to Jesus. He is the go-between of a new covenant. You have come to the sprinkled blood. It promises better things than the blood of Abel.

Hebrews 13:12 Jesus also suffered outside the city gate. He suffered to make the people holy by spilling his own blood.

1Peter 1:2 You have been chosen in keeping with what God the Father had planned. That happened through the Spirit’s work to make you pure and holy. God chose you so that you might obey Jesus Christ. He wanted you to be made clean by the blood of Christ. May more and more grace and peace be given to you.

1John 1:7 But suppose we walk in the light, just as he is in the light. Then we share life with one another. And the blood of Jesus, his Son, makes us pure from all sin.

What is the common element? THAT is your TRUE SACRAMENT.

Answer 6

You can find salvation all around you. People know the difference between right, and wrong. Religion only serves the purpose of keeping order in society by scaring the begeezes out of them with the threat of fire and torture forever.

All religions are the same. They originated from the same ideas, only to get labeled different ways. We know worry, and fret about what is the right belief. Some of us feel the need to fight to the death so that we can be right.
People go against innate (inborn) morals and values to prove some religion that is as reliable as a game of telephoned over 2,000+ years.

The reference attached is a lengthy one. Some parts are hard to watch, and other parts you may not want to hear, not necessarily because of distaste but because it is the true.

Please watch it all the way through.
The truth is there, but you must also find the truth with in yourself.
Then you will receive "salvation".

Answer 7

Yes. If you follow the Bible, it is the way to heaven. Jesus said in John 14:6 , "I am the Way, the Truth and the Light. No man comes to the Father except through me."
No priest, no pope, no bishop, no archbishop, no cardinal can get you into heaven. Only Jesus can. Serve Him only, and go strictly by the Bible. Not what a mere man says.

Good luck in your search for the truth.

Answer 8

As a Catholic,I dont believe you have to be a Catholic to be saved,that being said,I also dont think you can say I give my heart to Jesus, and think its a done deal.It dosnt work that way.Even the just and forgiven(by confessions etc) still have to answer for their forgiven sins,along with the ones that arent forgiven.

Answer 9

To the man crying outside of the Catholic church because they won't allow him in because he's not Catholic. Jesus would say don't feel bad I've been trying to get in for some time myself.

Answer 10

Fortunately the pope does not get to decide where we can find salvation. Salvation is from Jesus and not a denomination.