[Maximilian]

I spent 11 years in Catholic school, and was never taught that other Christians or Jews weren't going to heaven. Now those who don't believe are another story.

It's unfortunate that Catholic education has been so sadly lacking for a long time, and not just in recent years. It is a Catholic dogma that no one can be saved outside the Catholic Church. This is the highest level teaching with the infallible pronouncement of numerous popes, councils, etc.

[BlackRazor]

It is a Catholic dogma that no one can be saved outside the Catholic Church.

Could you please provide the Catechism citations that support this? Thanks!

[westerfield]

It is a Catholic dogma that no one can be saved outside the Catholic Church. This is the highest level teaching with the infallible pronouncement of numerous popes, councils, etc.

While this may have been true historically, my Catholic education specifically dealt with this subject by proclaiming that it was difficult, but not inpossible, for Salvation to occur outside the Catholic Church. And I should mention that I was exposed to this teaching just prior to the implementation of VaticanII as well, so I would expect that current teaching on this subject probably has an even more liberal interpretation than what I was raised with.

[freebacon]

The idea that only those who accept that the eucharist is the body of Jesus is behind this concept. But the Church teaches that it is possible though "hard" to get into heaven without that belief.