[Mrs. Don-o]

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!

[fwdude]

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.

But, we don't have the "correct" Eucharist. Doesn't that damn us?