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.
If a person does not believe that the Catholic Church is the true Church, is telling him that the Catholic Church teaches that he is certain to go to hell supposed to scare him? I’m sure there are dozens of churches in Kentucky alone that believe that I am going to hell because I am Catholic. Ask me if I care.
If he DOES believe the Catholic Churchh is the true Church, then he will know that he is obliged to join. OTHER PEOPLE’s ODDS of going to heaven and hell are absolutely immaterial.
Jesus was asked whether they are many or few who are saved. HE DID NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION. He said what YOU are to do: Try to enter by the narrow gate. He said what YOU are to do.
Because the gospel is not about ODDS. It is about God’s loving me, and my loving God.
When a couple marry, they don’t vow to take a chance on marriage. The groom doesn’t say, “There is a 56% chance that I will be faithful.” He promises what HE will do.
I detect in many, many people a revulsion at the idea that more than a literal handful of non-Catholics have been saved. They will grudgingly admit that Baptism of Desire exists (in principle), but they eagerly return, again and again, to contemplating the delicious image of masses of souls, glowing from within like coals, tumbling in the raging fires of hell. It’s their pornography.