"The Holy Spirit is not only present in other religions through authentic expressions of prayer. “The Spirit’s presence and activity”, as I wrote in the Encyclical Letter Redemptoris missio, “affect not only individuals but also society and history, peoples, cultures and religions” (n. 28).Normally, “it will be in the sincere practice of what is good in their own religious traditions and by following the dictates of their own conscience that the members of other religions respond positively to God’s invitation and receive salvation in Jesus Christ, even while they do not recognize or acknowledge him as their Saviour (cf. Ad gentes, nn. 3, 9, 11)” (Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue – Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Instruction Dialogue and Proclamation, 19 May 1991, n. 29; L’Osservatore Romano English edition, 1 July 1991, p. III).
Indeed, as the Second Vatican Council teaches, “since Christ died for all, and since all men are in fact called to one and the same destiny, which is divine, we must hold that the Holy Spirit offers to all the possibility of coming into contact, in a way known to God, with the paschal mystery” (Gaudium et spes, n. 22)."
John Paul II, General Audience
5 comments:
Unfortunately for John Paul II, there are Roman Catholics who believe that his inclusivistic position on salvation is a departure from orthodox Roman Catholic teaching. Here's one example of a disgruntled former Protestant minister turned Roman Catholic who came to embrace "sedevacantism." He says:
"Fact #2: Because there is no salvation outside of Christ (John 14:6, Acts 4:12, 1 John 5:12), one must be "in Christ," which in Scriptural term means to be in His Mystical Body, outside of which there is no salvation (extra ecclesiam nulla salus), nor is there salvation outside the Catholic Faith perennially professed by that Church. Various solemn pronouncements of popes and councils can be cited in support of this central and essential dogma."
"Fact #17: A careful examination of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) shows them to contain numerous errors previously condemned by the Magisterium (teaching office) of the Catholic Church. These errors -- officially promulgated in the sixteen documents of Vatican II and eventually codified in the New Catechism of the Catholic (sic) Church promulgated by John Paul II in 1992 -- include such novel teachings as:
a) a new ecclesiology (doctrine of the Church) by which the Church of Jesus Christ is no longer equated with the Catholic Church (as it is in all previous magisterial teaching) but is said rather to "subsist" in the Catholic Church, but to also be sufficiently present in heretical churches and even pagan religions so as to be able to impart salvation to practitioners of these false, diabolically-inspired religions; flowing from this novel ecclesiology are several consequent errors, such as:
b) ecumenism
c) religious liberty
d) the ongoing validity of the Old Covenant today
e) the "truth, beauty, and goodness" of such blasphemous religions as Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Voodoo, animism, etc.,
and too many other heresies to mention. Quotes from the sixteen documents of Vatican II, contrasted with previous magisterial pronouncements condemning these errors, are provided in my talk and will be posted here as well.
Vatican II's official promulgation of heresies -- something a true ecumenical council of the Church, even a "pastoral" one, is incapable of doing -- shows it to be but another "robber council" like 17 others previously condemned by the Church."
Source: http://www.gerrymatatics.org/whythefactsversion1.html
I think Mr. Matatics has a point. In any case, Roman Catholic salvation is still un-biblical.
Thanks for the post. :)
Thanks Albert, those are some interesting quotes.
The sedevacantist position does seem more in line with much of historical Catholicism. And in some ways it makes more sense, or at least the theology is more consistent.
"The sedevacantist position does seem more in line with much of historical Catholicism. And in some ways it makes more sense, or at least the theology is more consistent."
I agree. :)
"Unfortunately for John Paul II, there are Roman Catholics who believe that his inclusivistic position on salvation is a departure from orthodox Roman Catholic teaching."
I don't see how that is unfortunate for him. He doesn't care what they think. His answer to that would undoubtedly be "I'm the pope. Not you." What is unfortunate, for them, however, is that despite seeing this contradiction in the supposedly infallible office of pope, they will remain Roman Catholic. That is truly unfortunate.
Catholic quotes on salvation:
“Jesus saith to them: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
“He that believeth in the Son hath life everlasting: but he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)
St. Fulgence (+ 520): “Anyone who is outside this Church, which received the keys of the kingdom of heaven, is walking not to heaven but to Hell. He is not approaching the home of eternal life; rather, he is hastening to the torment of eternal death.”
JPII:
“it will be in the sincere practice of what is good in their own religious traditions and by following the dictates of their own conscience that the members of other religions respond positively to God’s invitation and receive salvation in Jesus Christ, even while they do not recognize or acknowledge him as their Saviour (cf. Ad gentes, nn. 3, 9, 11)”
Gregory XVI:
Pope Gregory XVI (+1832): “Finally some of these misguided people attempt to persuade themselves and others that men are not saved only in the Catholic religion, but that even heretics may attain eternal life… You know how zealously Our predecessors taught that article of faith which these dare to deny, namely the necessity of the Catholic faith and of unity for salvation… Omitting other appropriate passages which are almost numberless in the writings of the Fathers, We shall praise St. Gregory the Great who expressly testifies that THIS IS INDEED THE TEACHING OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. He says: ‘The holy universal Church teaches that it is not possible to worship God truly except in her and asserts that all who are outside of her will not be saved.’ Official acts of the Church proclaim the same dogma. Thus, in the decree on faith which Innocent III published with the synod of Lateran IV, these things are written: ‘There is one universal Church of all the faithful outside of which no one is saved.Finally the same dogma is also expressly mentioned in the profession of faith proposed by the Apostolic See, not only that which all Latin churches use, but also that which… other Eastern Catholics use. We did not mention these selected testimonies because We thought you were ignorant of that article of faith and in need of Our instruction. Far be it from Us to have such an absurd and insulting suspicion about you. But We are so concerned about this serious and well known dogma, which has been attacked with such remarkable audacity, that We could not restrain Our pen from reinforcing this truth with many testimonies.” (Summo Iugiter Studio)
Pope Gregory XVI, Mirari Vos (# 13), Aug. 15, 1832: “With the admonition of the apostle that ‘there is one God, one faith, one baptism’ (Eph. 4:5) may those fear who contrive the notion that the safe harbor of salvation is open to persons of any religion whatever. They should consider the testimony of Christ Himself that ‘those who are not with Christ are against Him,’ (Lk. 11:23) and that they disperse unhappily who do not gather with Him. Therefore, ‘without a doubt, they will perish forever, unless they hold the Catholic faith whole and inviolate” (Athanasian Creed).
Pius VIII:
Pope Pius VIII(+1829): “Against these experienced sophists the people must be taught that the profession of the Catholic faith is uniquely true, as the apostle proclaims: one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” (Traditi Humilitati # 4)
Maybe Matatics does have something after all.
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