I never hinted at how common I think salvation by baptism of desire is. I said “many.” Since there are about SIX BILLION unbaptized people in the world, I think it’s safe to say that “many” people have been saved through baptism of desire.
At any rate, if you believe in baptism of desire, which Feeneyites deny, we aren’t talking any longer about principle. We are talking only about your estimate of what my estimate may be of how many people are saved through baptism of desire. And I never hinted at what my estimate may be—for the simple reason that I have no clue.
But given just how difficult it is to obtain baptism of desire, it would *not* be safe to say "many" people have been saved by it. For all we know there have been "very few" people saved by BOD since the Resurrection.
To say "many" leads others (Catholics and non-Catholics alike) to believe that it's not that difficult for a non-Catholic to get into Heaven. To speak of baptism by desire in such a fashion only serves to encourage, what for all intents and purposes has been, the post-VII erosion of Outside the Catholic Church There is No Salvation.
Then you had no business saying this:
I am sure that there are many great, holy mystics among Protestants, Jews, Muslims, and even pagans, and that many in those religions have experienced baptism of desire, and thus have the theological virtues and sanctifying grace, and will enter into the Beatific Vision when they die.
It was irresponsible at best.