exactly- the thief on the cross wasn’t a catholic and didn’t belong to the church, nor did the poor beggar who was with Christ when he died- nor were the roman soldiers that got saved when paul was prisoner- nor was cesar’s household- Salvation is through Christ alone- not through Christ + the church
However, the Catholic Church believes that the Good Thief exhibited a Baptism of Desire as well as a Baptism of Blood.
Bob, I looked at all the descriptions of Hell on your page. Very interesting and scary. I have no idea why people deliberately choose to go to that awful place, but many DO make that choice, and only a few actually make it to Heaven. I am puzzled about it, but I accept it, because God said it.