[Campion]

How seriously does he believe that salvation is impossible outside the Church?

Oh, but he's right in saying that salvation is impossible outside the Church. He's only wrong in assuming he (Mel) knows who's outside the Church and who's inside. :-) Only He (God) knows that for sure.

[The Iguana]

Good point.

Of course, that leaves the question of virtuous folk pre or post-Christ who have never had the chance to hear the Good News...

[DallasMike]

Oh, but he's right in saying that salvation is impossible outside the Church. He's only wrong in assuming he (Mel) knows who's outside the Church and who's inside. :-) Only He (God) knows that for sure.

Excellent statement.

[AnAmericanMother]

Well stated. As a good faithful priest of my acquaintance once said, "That's not our problem. That's God's problem."

Folks need to quit speculating about who's in and who's out and just do their duty.

[A. Pole]

Oh, but he's right in saying that salvation is impossible outside the Church.

For God nothing is impossible. The Church is the ark of salvation but some who are inside might still perish and some who are outside might be saved by God's special grace. Those whose faith (the spiritual map) is closer to the truth have better chance to find the destination.