The Role of the Catholic Church in
Salvation
“It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it
to the dogs” (Mt 15:26). Our Lord’s response to the Canaanite woman is
shocking . . . not exactly the sweet and gentle Jesus we have inside our
minds. However, it is important to take into account that Jesus came from
the Jews and for the Jews first, and then for the Gentiles. Nevertheless,
because of this woman’s humility, her utter abasement before the Lord and the
disciples, and her faith and perseverance, the Lord listens to her and grants
her request.
As Catholic Christians, we hold as true that Jesus Christ chose
to found one Church (Mt 16:18) and that this one Church has visible boundaries
(Mt 5:14). There is a related doctrine we hold that is often avoided and
at best misunderstood. In fact, many Catholics simply dismiss it as
“unecumenical” without actually trying to understand it. The name of this
doctrine in Latin is: Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus, that is,
“Outside the Church there is no salvation” (CCC 846-8). Now, firstly,
what does this mean? It means that membership in the true Church, the
Church Christ founded, is necessary for salvation. St. Paul teaches that
the Church has Christ as its head and we are individually members of His body
(1 Cor 12). It is impossible to be joined to Christ without somehow being
joined to His body. Secondly, what does this doctrine not say?
We as Catholics are not saying that everyone else, including Protestant
Christians, are going to hell. We, as members of the true Church,
acknowledge the millions of non-Catholic Christians out there who love Jesus
Christ and are faithful to their interpretation of the Holy Bible (Vatican
II: Lumen Gentium, 15). However, we lament the fact that they
are not in full communion with us and have instead interpreted the Scriptures
in their own way — not in keeping with the Sacred Tradition (2 Thess 2:15) and
the consistent teaching of the Church’s Magisterium (1 Tim 3:15).
This evaluation of the current state of Christianity in the
world is not a condemnation of anyone. Actually, because we know so
many fine, committed non-Catholics, we can hope and pray for their salvation —
but not apart from the Church. If they are saved, they are still saved
because of the Catholic Church of which they are members (albeit imperfectly)
due to their faith in Christ and through baptism. Many Protestants,
especially Evangelicals, are our greatest allies in promoting the Culture of
Life. We should seek to work together for common goals, without
forgetting we have a duty to invite Protestants and the lost sheep (fallen-away
Catholics) into full communion with the Catholic Church. Ecumenical
dialogue means we talk about what we have in common as well as our
differences. Evangelization is not opposed to ecumenism because both
endeavors seek the same object, that is, truth. And if truth is what we
really seek, we should ask Protestant Christians what is keeping them from
Catholicism. We might be surprised at where this dialogue may lead.
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