[Cicero]

I haven’t the time to check the sources now, but basically Vatican II said that no one is saved except through the Church. But that the Church, like Jesus, can extend its powers beyond itself.

It was accepted from early times that virtuous pagans who were ignorant of Christian teachings could be saved—by the grace of Christ acting outside the usual channels.

Similarly, sincere Christians can be saved through the Church even though they don’t officially belong to the Church, provided that their reasons for not belonging are ignorant rather than sinful.

I don’t see any problem with that.

[Elsie]

It was accepted from early times that virtuous pagans who were ignorant of Christian teachings could be saved—by the grace of Christ acting outside the usual channels.

It appears that the 'church' ain't all that needed then...