>> Is this really a correct quotation? I find it hard to believe anyone could read the new testament and believe there is even an argument you can make with a straight face that Muslims, who deny the crucifixion and the resurrection, will be saved <<
The quotation is correct. And taken out of context, I can see how the phrase, “the plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator” could cause confusion. But I could see how, out of context, one might think it means, “God includes Muslims among those he plans to save.
So what is the context? The next subsection on the same page is entitled, “OUTSIDE THE CHURCH, THERE IS NO SALVATION”
It explains,:
847 This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church: Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.337
848. Although in ways known to himself God can lead those who, through no fault of their own, are ignorant of the Gospel, to that faith without which it is impossible to please him, the Church still has the obligation and also the sacred right to evangelize all men.”
So, what it really means is that IF a muslim devoutly seeks God, but has not heard that the Church is the source through which salvation flows, he may nonetheless, possess faith in a Christ whose name he does not know, and thus be saved.
Who, then, can be saved?Catholics can be saved if they believe the Word of God as taught by the Church and if they obey the commandments.
Other Christians can be saved if they submit their lives to Christ and join the community where they think he wills to be found.
Jews can be saved if they look forward in hope to the Messiah and try to ascertain whether God’s promise has been fulfilled.
Adherents of other religions can be saved if, with the help of grace, they sincerely seek God and strive to do his will.
Even atheists can be saved if they worship God under some other name and place their lives at the service of truth and justice.God’s saving grace, channeled through Christ the one Mediator, leaves no one unassisted. But that same grace brings obligations to all who receive it. They must not receive the grace of God in vain. Much will be demanded of those to whom much is given.
-- concluding paragraph (formatting mine), from the thread Who Can Be Saved?, article by Cardinal Avery Dulles