[CynicalBear]

>>It’s not “the Catholic Church” decides who gets salvation.<<

Catholic doctrine specifically states that without the sacraments there is no salvation. At least as I have read the doctrines and heard the “experts”. It is pretty commonly known that if the Church excommunicates someone thereby denying the sacraments they lose their Salvation.

Correct me if I am wrong and refer to specific Church doctrine.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to correct this common misconception.

Here's a good short ststement from the Catechism, stating that a person can be saved even without Baptism or any other sacrament (link) -- notice please the emphasis on "the influence of Grace.".

And here's a good summary of the way the Cathjloic Church sees it--- as a "medicinal," not a "punitive" penalty.

This is a topic the Catechism returns to over and over; to read a little more incontext, I'll give you these Catechism search results.

The Catholic Church is not in the business of damning. Nobody on earth has that power.