[AskStPhilomena]

In this age of rampant ecumania (i.e. indifferentism), it's good to hear some Catholic Truth

[conservonator]

What!?!?! No unity through diversity??:)

[asformeandformyhouse]

Does anyone require still further proof that the Church which was founded in the Apostolic times was, in fact, the Catholic Church?

The Lord's church founded by the apostles had neither papacy nor clergy/lay division. Clement and the other 1st and 2nd century leaders never wore the title of Pope or Saint in their time. These were bestowed upon them at a later date.

[Salvation]

**We may begin with the passage from St. Matthew’s Gospel, which every Catholic should know by heart:

“And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18)**

The Founding of the Church. Fortified by the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost!

[in2itagin]

My comments are directed to you... Sorry for the mis-direction on post.

[Sloth]

I fully agree that there is no salvation outside the church (for those old enough to be accountable). But I regard the church as something other than the Catholic hierarchy.

[NYer]

“And a certain man said to him: Lord, are they few that are saved? But He said to them: Strive to enter by the narrow gate: for many, I say to you, shall seek to enter and shall not be able.” (Luke 13:23-24)

Our pastor led a small group discussion last night on this very gospel!!

Great article - thank you for posting it.

[Cap'n Crunch]

One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic bump.

[.45MAN]

((((((((((((((Must READ)))))))))))))))))))))

[Fifthmark]

Excellent post. This is a very clear exposition concerning a dogma that couldn't be more assailed today, both inside and outside of the Church.

[Romulus]

outside the Church, there is no salvation

In so far as the prophets and patriarchs are saved, as is St. John the Baptist -- all non-Catholics -- you are going to have to offer an understanding of "Church" somewhat more broad than simply the visible institutional Catholic Church.

[Quix]

I didn't realize you Roman folks were into rewriting Scripture.

THE SCRIPTURES, THE WORD OF GOD

declares that

IF YOU BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART AND CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH . . . , YOU SHALL BE SAVED.

AND

IT ALSO SAYS,

THOSE WHO CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.

It does NOT say

IF YOU BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART AND CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH AND ARE A CARD CARRYING MEMBER OF THE ROMAN CHURCH . . . YOU SHALL BE SAVED.

Nice try. But God has never been big on bureaucracy.

Pharisees have. But not God Almighty.

You might consider doing it His way according to HIS priorities instead of the bureaucracy's.

[Revenge of Sith]

FYI Catholic Family News is a Feeneyite publication. The SSPX, the SSPV and the sedevacantists all reject the belief of excommunicated priest Leonard Feeney that there is no salvation outside the Catholic Church. Even pre-Vatican II popes believed in baptism of desire and Feeney was excommunicated by none other than Pius XII. Feeney was the Catholic version of Bob Jones and Jack Chick.

[johnb2004]

"There is good reason at least to hope for the eternal salvation of those who are in no way in the true Church of Christ" (Syllabus of Errors, a.d. 1864 Holy Office under Pius IX)

The Church of Christ, therefore, is the only ever enduring Church; and all who depart from it, depart from the will and command of Christ, our Lord. They have left the path of salvation and are heading towards destruction. (Satis Cognitum, encyclical of Pope Leo XIII, a.d. 1896)

Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necesssary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation…He explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed the necessity of the Church, which men enter as through a door. (Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium: The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 14)

It must of course be held as a matter of faith that outside the apostolic, Roman Church no one can be saved, that the Church is the only ark of salavation, and that whoever does not enter it will perish in the flood. (Pope Pius IX, allocution Singulari Quadam, a.d. 1854)

As I follow no leader save Christ, so I communicate with none with none but your blessedness, that is with the chair of Peter. For this, I know, is the rock on which the Church is built. That is the house where alone the paschal lamb can be rightly eaten. This is the ark of Noah, and he who is not found in it shall perish when the flood prevails. (St. Jerome, letter 15, to Pope Damasus,2)

[armydoc]

How about an experiment to examine the validity of a Catholic dogma:

If a piece of bread is consecrated by a Catholic Priest, thus becoming literally the body of Christ, will it ever subsequently suffer corruption (decay)? Of course it will.

[Quester]

“He that is not with Me is against Me; and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth.” (Luke 11:23)

Luke 9:49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.

50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

Seems that what's important is being with Jesus, as opposed to being with the Catholic Church.

[Robert Drobot]

In this age of rampant ecumania (i.e. indifferentism), it's good to hear some Catholic Truth

Amen and Amen!!!

[William Terrell]

Excuse me, but is this saying that unless I become a Catholic, worship at its alters, spread its dogma, contribute to its coffers and follow its rules and recognize the Pope as my personal interpreter of Christ, my soul is condemed to Hell?

[Arthur McGowan]

This is not "Catholic Truth." It is the heresy of Feeneyism. Note that the opposing viewpoint (the teaching of the Catholic Church) is caricatured as "I believe in tolerance and respect for all religions," and that no Magisterial document which explains how Catholics should understand Extra ecclessia... is quoted.