Weekly THIS AND THAT for April 18, 2010: Who's Saved, Who's Not?

This and That:
Salvation: Who’s Saved, Who’s Not?


To Be One in Christ

It’s like the pain of an aching tooth that won’t go away. Try as you might to explain it, the question continues to arise: “Father, do you have to be Catholic to be saved?” Of course there are other religious denominations that share the same Scriptures with us yet claim that Catholics cannot be saved. Where does one turn to get their bearing on this important question? The Second Vatican Council might be a noteworthy source.

Let us look at “The Apostolic Constitution on the Church” (Gaudium et Spes, Chapter II, Para. 13-17), the most important document produced at Vatican II. The Council Fathers state that all men and women of the world are called to be one in Christ in the unity of his Spirit and to live in peace. In different ways, to it belong or are related the following: The Catholic Faithful, others who believe in Christ, and finally all in the human family, called by God’s grace to salvation.

Just listen to the Council Fathers spell out to whom salvation is offered. You may be in store for some surprises.


The Catholic Faithful

First, salvation is offered to the Catholic Faithful. For Catholics, the Church is necessary for salvation. The one Christ is the mediator and for Catholics he is present to us in his body, which is the Church. Jesus explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and baptism for salvation, so anyone knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God cannot be saved, if they refused to enter it or to remain in it. Conversely, Catholics who in good conscience leave the Church to find Christ in another Christian group can be saved. My dear mother who never graduated high school, upon learning that someone we know had left that Catholic Church, used to say, “Better he be a good Baptist than a poor Catholic.” Nor is salvation an automatic guarantee for those who are in the Church. They must persevere in charity in order to be saved.


Other Christians

Next, the Church is joined to other Christians who do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not remained in unity under the successor of St. Peter. The Council declares: “These Christians are indeed in some real way joined to us in the Holy Spirit; but his gifts and graces, his sanctifying power is also active in them…” The Spirit stirs up actions in all Christians to be peaceably united in one flock with one Shepherd.


Those Who Have Not Received the Gospel

Finally, even those who have not received the Gospel are related to the People of God in various ways. First, are people to whom the covenants and promises were made and from which Christ was born, namely the Jews and Muslims. The Council states: “the plan of salvation also includes… Moslems: these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God…”

Nor is God remote from those who in shadows and images seek the unknown God, since the Savior wills all men and women to be saved. (Tim 2:3) Those who do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, may also achieve eternal salvation. It seems no one is left out when the Council declares: “Nor shall divine providence deny the assistance necessary for salvation to those who…have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and who … strive to lead a good life.”


Conclusion

The net that Jesus casts seems broader and more inclusive than our comfort might allow.

Fondly,
Father Nicholas