He was "generous"? How very special! He actually wasn't kind but condescending. He said:
He presumes that the only reason someone isn't a Catholic is because they don't really know about the religion and its "sacraments". What do you think he meant by "reasonably" could have known? He certainly isn't referring to former Catholics who are STILL Christians.
He also stated:
Therefore, to say that God looks into the heart does not mean that he merely looks to a person’s feelings or disposition. Rather, as Scripture says, we will be judged by our deeds (see Rom 2:6-11). Did our actions correspond to what we knew was expected of us or not?
Our salvation will be based on what we believe about Jesus Christ not whether or not we joined the "right" church. God certainly ALONE can see the heart which is why salvation is based on faith and not the outward works we do. Piety can be faked, but God isn't tricked - ever.
He ends with saying:
Thus, the degree of a person’s knowledge of God’s will and his obedience to that knowledge in deeds will be key on the Day of Judgment. This does not mean all non-Catholics and other nonbelievers simply get a pass. Their ignorance of full Catholic teaching must be what is called “invincible ignorance,” meaning a lack of knowledge that they could not reasonably overcome. Thus, if one is lazy or makes excuses when seeking the truth, God will take it into account. Since the Lord alone sees into our heart, he alone will be our just judge.
He again is patronizing towards non-Catholic Christians presuming that it is only because of "invincible ignorance" that we aren't all Roman Catholics. Your Catechism also makes the distinction about former Catholics who, while remaining faithful to Jesus Christ in beliefs and holy lives, cannot be saved as long as they remain outside of the Roman Catholic church. What is so ridiculous about this thinking is that a non-believer is given a better chance of being saved than an ex-Catholic who nevertheless remains a faithful Christian! If atheists might be saved if they "live according to the dictates of their conscience" - which is a HUGE chasm for what that could mean - but former Catholics can't be even when their lives are shining examples of what it means to BE a Christian, then that kind of thinking is all kinds of messed up heresy.
I have NO intentions of ever rejoining the Catholic church - there's no reason why I should. I have the blessed assurance that it is because of my faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior that I have eternal life. I am more a Christian now than I ever was as a Catholic. Mnsr. Pope sprinkled plenty of judgment in his non-judgmental article. I saw it and so did a lot of others here. That you apparently didn't shows me you lack discretion as well as "generosity".
Are we witnessing ‘invincible ignorance’ from these closed and shuttered minded Catholics? I think we are! They appear to be born of water, but not yet born of the Spirit as they trust in their fidelity to catholiciism rather than trusting Jesus to birth them from above.