Replies

There's no reason we can't enrich each other's understanding to some extent. I always appreciate a mutually respectful sharing of our points of view. After all, that's BASIC --- Brothers And Sisters In Christ.

I'm glad that you realize that non-Catholics can be Brothers and Sisters in Christ with you, for that is not the official Catholic Doctrine, as expressed by numerous posters on this thread.

I don't know about "numerous posters", some of whom may be ignorant or hasty --- and I haven't time to check out 150+ responses at this point --- but it is the official doctrine, the teaching you will find in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

The Catechism is always a good first place to go to find out what the Church teaches. Otherwise, just ask me. :o)

""Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth" are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: "the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements."
"Christ's Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church.
"All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him, and are in themselves calls to "Catholic unity."
Catechism (Link)

Christ is using your non-Catholic "ecclesial community" as a "means of salvation" because you as Christians also have the Word, the grace, the faith hope & charity, the Holy Spirit, etc.

So there you go. BASIC!

*****I’m glad that you realize that non-Catholics can be Brothers and Sisters in Christ with you, for that is not the official Catholic Doctrine, as expressed by numerous posters on this thread******

OH PLEASE. This one is just over the top. That is not the official Catholic teaching. If anything, the EXACT opposite is the case.