Extra Jesum nulla salus - Revision history

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	'''"Extra Jesum nulla salus"''' is Latin for "There is no salvation outside of Jesus."		'''"Extra Jesum nulla salus"''' is Latin for "There is no salvation outside of Jesus."

	This maxim is derived from the classical formula, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extra_Ecclesiam_nulla_salus "Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus"]--"There is no salvation outside the Church."		This maxim is derived from the classical formula, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extra_Ecclesiam_nulla_salus "Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus"] — "There is no salvation outside the Church."

	Jesus is the [[one Mediator]] between God and humankind.		Jesus is the [[one Mediator]] between God and humankind.
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	If we say "Yes, explicit faith in Jesus is required for salvation" then it follows that all who died before the day of Pentecost and who died afterward without hearing the gospel message have gone straight to Hell. Their predestination to damnation would be the consequence of the date and place of their birth. Abraham, Moses, and Elijah, just to name a few, would all be in Hell, because they were dead before the apostles announced the good news to the world. But we know from the New Testament that these three are in Heaven. Lazarus rested in the bosom of Abraham while the rich man burned in Hell; Moses and Elijah appeared in glory at the Transfiguration.		If we say "Yes, explicit faith in Jesus is required for salvation" then it follows that all who died before the day of Pentecost and who died afterward without hearing the gospel message have gone straight to Hell. Their predestination to damnation would be the consequence of the date and place of their birth. Abraham, Moses, and Elijah, just to name a few, would all be in Hell, because they were dead before the apostles announced the good news to the world. But we know from the New Testament that these three are in Heaven. Lazarus rested in the bosom of Abraham while the rich man burned in Hell; Moses and Elijah appeared in glory at the Transfiguration.

	If we say, "No, explicit faith in Jesus is not required for salvation," we may make it sound as though there is some other way to Heaven than through the mercy of Jesus--and that is inconceivable. We must consequently clarify what ''kind of faith'' God requires from His children. In making this clarification, we have to be careful not to fall into the trap of indifferentism, thinking that there is no need to preach the gospel because God offers salvation to all of His children without exception.		If we say, "No, explicit faith in Jesus is not required for salvation," we may make it sound as though there is some other way to Heaven than through the mercy of Jesus — and that is inconceivable. We must consequently clarify what ''kind of faith'' God requires from His children. In making this clarification, we have to be careful not to fall into the trap of indifferentism, thinking that there is no need to preach the gospel because God offers salvation to all of His children without exception.

	'''God is at least as just as we are.''' If we can see that it would be evil for God to create sons and daughters who are predestined to be thrown into the fires of Hell, we may imagine that God does not do this, and we may conclude that we must therefore adjust our understanding of the Scripture passages that seem to suggest the contrary. ''God does not require impossible things of His children.''		'''God is at least as just as we are.''' If we can see that it would be evil for God to create sons and daughters who are predestined to be thrown into the fires of Hell, we may imagine that God does not do this, and we may conclude that we must therefore adjust our understanding of the Scripture passages that seem to suggest the contrary. ''God does not require impossible things of His children.''

	'''Jesus died to save all of God's children, from Adam and Eve down to the last child born before Judgment Day.''' Therefore, we must conclude that He knows how to save those who have not heard the gospel message or whose rejection of the message was not their fault. On Judgment Day, God will ask each one of us, "What did ''you'' do with the gifts I gave you?" From those who received much, much will be required; from those who received little, little will be required. God will not judge those who could not receive the gift of explicit Christian faith for not having the gift of explicit Christian faith--that would not be fair. But God can reveal to each soul what graces He did give that person from the mercy of Jesus, and He can judge each one on how well they responded to those graces, even though they did not know, as we do, to Whom they were indebted for those gifts.		'''Jesus died to save all of God's children, from Adam and Eve down to the last child born before Judgment Day.''' Therefore, we must conclude that He knows how to save those who have not heard the gospel message or whose rejection of the message was not their fault. On Judgment Day, God will ask each one of us, "What did ''you'' do with the gifts I gave you?" From those who received much, much will be required; from those who received little, little will be required. God will not judge those who could not receive the gift of explicit Christian faith for not having the gift of explicit Christian faith — that would not be fair. But God can reveal to each soul what graces He did give that person from the mercy of Jesus, and He can judge each one on how well they responded to those graces, even though they did not know, as we do, to Whom they were indebted for those gifts.

	God alone knows the secrets of the heart. God alone can judge who responded to His love with love. We cannot tell who is in a state of grace by considering the outward signs of their religious behavior. '''We are not saved or damned by membership in a group.''' Not all Catholics will go to Heaven; not all non-Catholics will go to Hell. ''No one is in Heaven except by their own personal decision to accept Jesus' saving action on their behalf; no one is in Hell except by their own personal decision to reject mercy.''		God alone knows the secrets of the heart. God alone can judge who responded to His love with love. We cannot tell who is in a state of grace by considering the outward signs of their religious behavior. '''We are not saved or damned by membership in a group.''' Not all Catholics will go to Heaven; not all non-Catholics will go to Hell. ''No one is in Heaven except by their own personal decision to accept Jesus' saving action on their behalf; no one is in Hell except by their own personal decision to reject mercy.''

Mxmsj: /* Discussion */

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Discussion

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	In this set of reflections, I am only concerned with the reality that no one enters Heaven by any means other than through the Incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus. I have a separate page on [[Atonement\|"Atonement"]] that is dedicated to trying to understand ''how'' it is that God incarnate accomplishes our salvation.		In this set of reflections, I am only concerned with the reality that no one enters Heaven by any means other than through the Incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus. I have a separate page on [[Atonement\|"Atonement"]] that is dedicated to trying to understand ''how'' it is that God incarnate accomplishes our salvation.

	I think it is luminously clear that whoever is saved is saved by Jesus. The big difficulty arises when we ask the question whether ''explicit faith in Jesus'' is required for salvation.		I think it is luminously clear that '''whoever is saved is saved by Jesus'''. The big difficulty arises when we ask the question whether ''explicit faith in Jesus'' is required for salvation.

	If we say "Yes, explicit faith in Jesus is required for salvation" then it follows that all who died before the day of Pentecost and who died afterward without hearing the gospel message have gone straight to Hell. Their predestination to damnation would be the consequence of the date and place of their birth. Abraham, Moses, and Elijah, just to name a few, would all be in Hell, because they were dead before the apostles announced the good news to the world. But we know from the New Testament that these three are in Heaven. Lazarus rested in the bosom of Abraham while the rich man burned in Hell; Moses and Elijah appeared in glory at the Transfiguration.		If we say "Yes, explicit faith in Jesus is required for salvation" then it follows that all who died before the day of Pentecost and who died afterward without hearing the gospel message have gone straight to Hell. Their predestination to damnation would be the consequence of the date and place of their birth. Abraham, Moses, and Elijah, just to name a few, would all be in Hell, because they were dead before the apostles announced the good news to the world. But we know from the New Testament that these three are in Heaven. Lazarus rested in the bosom of Abraham while the rich man burned in Hell; Moses and Elijah appeared in glory at the Transfiguration.
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	If we say, "No, explicit faith in Jesus is not required for salvation," we may make it sound as though there is some other way to Heaven than through the mercy of Jesus--and that is inconceivable. We must consequently clarify what ''kind of faith'' God requires from His children. In making this clarification, we have to be careful not to fall into the trap of indifferentism, thinking that there is no need to preach the gospel because God offers salvation to all of His children without exception.		If we say, "No, explicit faith in Jesus is not required for salvation," we may make it sound as though there is some other way to Heaven than through the mercy of Jesus--and that is inconceivable. We must consequently clarify what ''kind of faith'' God requires from His children. In making this clarification, we have to be careful not to fall into the trap of indifferentism, thinking that there is no need to preach the gospel because God offers salvation to all of His children without exception.

	God is at least as just as we are. If we can see that it would be evil for God to create sons and daughters who are predestined to be thrown into the fires of Hell, we may imagine that God does not do this, and we may conclude that we must therefore adjust our understanding of the Scripture passages that seem to suggest the contrary. God does not require impossible things of His children.		'''God is at least as just as we are.''' If we can see that it would be evil for God to create sons and daughters who are predestined to be thrown into the fires of Hell, we may imagine that God does not do this, and we may conclude that we must therefore adjust our understanding of the Scripture passages that seem to suggest the contrary. ''God does not require impossible things of His children.''

	Jesus died to save all of God's children, from Adam and Eve down to the last child born before Judgment Day. Therefore, we must conclude that He knows how to save those who have not heard the gospel message or whose rejection of the message was not their fault. On Judgment Day, God will ask each one of us, "What did ''you'' do with the gifts I gave you?" From those who received much, much will be required; from those who received little, little will be required. God will not judge those who could not receive the gift of explicit Christian faith for not having the gift of explicit Christian faith--that would not be fair. But God can reveal to each soul what graces He did give that person from the mercy of Jesus, and He can judge each one on how well they responded to those graces, even though they did not know, as we do, to Whom they were indebted for those gifts.		'''Jesus died to save all of God's children, from Adam and Eve down to the last child born before Judgment Day.''' Therefore, we must conclude that He knows how to save those who have not heard the gospel message or whose rejection of the message was not their fault. On Judgment Day, God will ask each one of us, "What did ''you'' do with the gifts I gave you?" From those who received much, much will be required; from those who received little, little will be required. God will not judge those who could not receive the gift of explicit Christian faith for not having the gift of explicit Christian faith--that would not be fair. But God can reveal to each soul what graces He did give that person from the mercy of Jesus, and He can judge each one on how well they responded to those graces, even though they did not know, as we do, to Whom they were indebted for those gifts.

	God alone knows the secrets of the heart. God alone can judge who responded to His love with love. We cannot tell who is in a state of grace by considering the outward signs of their religious behavior. We are not saved or damned by membership in a group. Not all Catholics will go to Heaven; not all non-Catholics will go to Hell. No one is in Heaven except by their own personal decision to accept Jesus' saving action on their behalf; no one is in Hell except by their own personal decision to reject mercy.		God alone knows the secrets of the heart. God alone can judge who responded to His love with love. We cannot tell who is in a state of grace by considering the outward signs of their religious behavior. '''We are not saved or damned by membership in a group.''' Not all Catholics will go to Heaven; not all non-Catholics will go to Hell. ''No one is in Heaven except by their own personal decision to accept Jesus' saving action on their behalf; no one is in Hell except by their own personal decision to reject mercy.''

	== To be developed ==		== To be developed ==

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2017-10-10T23:51:11Z

Catechism

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	:; [http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p3.htm#836 '''Who belongs to the Catholic Church?''']		:; [http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p3.htm#836 '''Who belongs to the Catholic Church?''']

	:: 836 "All men are called to this catholic unity of the People of God. . . . And to it, in different ways, belong or are ordered: the Catholic faithful, others who believe in Christ, and finally all mankind, called by God's grace to salvation."~~320~~		:: 836 "All men are called to this catholic unity of the People of God. . . . And to it, in different ways, belong or are ordered: the Catholic faithful, others who believe in Christ, and finally all mankind, called by God's grace to salvation."<ref>LG 13.</ref>

	:: 837 "Fully incorporated into the society of the Church are those who, possessing the Spirit of Christ, accept all the means of salvation given to the Church together with her entire organization, and who - by the bonds constituted by the profession of faith, the sacraments, ecclesiastical government, and communion - are joined in the visible structure of the Church of Christ, who rules her through the Supreme Pontiff and the bishops. Even though incorporated into the Church, one who does not however persevere in charity is not saved. He remains indeed in the bosom of the Church, but 'in body' not 'in heart.'"~~321~~		:: 837 "Fully incorporated into the society of the Church are those who, possessing the Spirit of Christ, accept all the means of salvation given to the Church together with her entire organization, and who - by the bonds constituted by the profession of faith, the sacraments, ecclesiastical government, and communion - are joined in the visible structure of the Church of Christ, who rules her through the Supreme Pontiff and the bishops. Even though incorporated into the Church, one who does not however persevere in charity is not saved. He remains indeed in the bosom of the Church, but 'in body' not 'in heart.'"<ref>LG 14.</ref>

	:: 838 "The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honored by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter."~~322~~ Those "who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church."~~323~~ With the Orthodox Churches, this communion is so profound "that it lacks little to attain the fullness that would permit a common celebration of the Lord's Eucharist."~~324~~		:: 838 "The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honored by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter."<ref>LG 15.</ref> Those "who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church."<ref>UR 3.</ref> With the Orthodox Churches, this communion is so profound "that it lacks little to attain the fullness that would permit a common celebration of the Lord's Eucharist."<ref>Paul VI, Discourse, December 14, 1975; cf. UR 13-18.</ref>
	<~~pre~~>
	~~320 LG 13.~~
	~~321 LG 14.~~
	~~322 LG 15.~~
	~~323 UR 3.~~
	~~324~~ Paul VI, Discourse, December 14, 1975; cf. UR 13-18.
	</~~pre~~>

	:; [http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p3.htm#846 "Outside the Church there is no salvation"]		:; [http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p3.htm#846 "Outside the Church there is no salvation"]

	:: 846 How are we to understand this affirmation, often repeated by the Church Fathers?~~335~~ Re-formulated positively, it means that all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body:		:: 846 How are we to understand this affirmation, often repeated by the Church Fathers?<ref>Cf. Cyprian, Ep. 73.21:PL 3,1169; De unit.:PL 4,509-536.</ref> Re-formulated positively, it means that all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body:

	::: Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it.~~336~~		::: Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it.<ref>LG 14; cf. Mk 16:16; Jn 3:5.</ref>

	:: This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church:		:: This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church:

	::: Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.~~337~~		::: Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.<ref>LG 16; cf. DS 3866-3872.</ref>

	:: 848 "Although in ways known to himself God can lead those who, through no fault of their own, are ignorant of the Gospel, to that faith without which it is impossible to please him, the Church still has the obligation and also the sacred right to evangelize all men."~~338~~		:: 848 "Although in ways known to himself God can lead those who, through no fault of their own, are ignorant of the Gospel, to that faith without which it is impossible to please him, the Church still has the obligation and also the sacred right to evangelize all men."<ref>AG 7; cf. Heb 11:6; 1 Cor 9:16.</ref>

	<~~pre~~>
	~~335 Cf. Cyprian, Ep. 73.21:PL 3,1169; De unit.:PL 4,509-536.~~
	~~336 LG 14; cf. Mk 16:16; Jn 3:5.~~
	~~337 LG 16; cf. DS 3866-3872.~~
	~~338~~ AG 7; cf. Heb 11:6; 1 Cor 9:16.
	</~~pre~~>

	:; [http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p4s2a3.htm#2822 #2822]		:; [http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p4s2a3.htm#2822 #2822]

Mxmsj: /* Is Heaven Only for Catholics? */

2014-12-20T18:50:36Z

Is Heaven Only for Catholics?

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	Just a moment's reflection should show how ludicrous this thought is, whether it is held by poorly catechized Catholics or by Protestants who misunderstand the Church's teaching.		Just a moment's reflection should show how ludicrous this thought is, whether it is held by poorly catechized Catholics or by Protestants who misunderstand the Church's teaching.

	If only Catholics go to Heaven, then all of God's People prior to the Incarnation of God the Son are in Hell: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Judah, Moses, Joshua, David, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, ~~and~~ Ezekiel, just to name a few of the greats.		If only Catholics go to Heaven, then all of God's People prior to the Incarnation of God the Son are in Hell: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Judah, Moses, Joshua, David, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, the holy innocents, the Good Thief, St. Joseph, John the Baptist, just to name a few of the greats.

	Elijah was taken up to heaven in a "burning, fiery chariot." He was assumed into Heaven even though ''he was not a Catholic!''		Elijah was taken up to heaven in a "burning, fiery chariot." He was assumed into Heaven even though ''he was not a Catholic!''

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2014-12-06T06:13:37Z

Links

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	* [http://www.catholic.com/magazine/articles/what-no-salvation-outside-the-church-means ''Catholic Answers,'' "What 'No Salvation Outside the Church' Means."]		* [http://www.catholic.com/magazine/articles/what-no-salvation-outside-the-church-means ''Catholic Answers,'' "What 'No Salvation Outside the Church' Means."]
	* [http://www.catholic.com/quickquestions/whats-the-correct-understanding-of-no-salvation-outside-the-church ''Catholic Answers,'' "What's the correct understanding of 'no salvation outside the Church'"?]		* [http://www.catholic.com/quickquestions/whats-the-correct-understanding-of-no-salvation-outside-the-church ''Catholic Answers,'' "What's the correct understanding of 'no salvation outside the Church'"?]
			* [http://www.catholicessentials.net/baptismofdesire.htm ''Catholic Essentials,'' "Baptism of Desire and Baptism of Blood."]

	[[Category:Salvation]]		[[Category:Salvation]]

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2014-11-19T19:28:42Z

Links

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	* [http://www.catholic.com/tracts/salvation-outside-the-church ''Catholic Answers,'' "Salvation Outside the Church."]		* [http://www.catholic.com/tracts/salvation-outside-the-church ''Catholic Answers,'' "Salvation Outside the Church."]
	* [http://www.catholic.com/magazine/articles/what-no-salvation-outside-the-church-means ''Catholic Answers,'' "What 'No Salvation Outside the Church' Means."]		* [http://www.catholic.com/magazine/articles/what-no-salvation-outside-the-church-means ''Catholic Answers,'' "What 'No Salvation Outside the Church' Means."]
	* [http://www.catholic.com/quickquestions/whats-the-correct-understanding-of-no-salvation-outside-the-church ''Catholic Answers,'' "What's the correct understanding of 'no salvation outside the Church'"?		* [http://www.catholic.com/quickquestions/whats-the-correct-understanding-of-no-salvation-outside-the-church ''Catholic Answers,'' "What's the correct understanding of 'no salvation outside the Church'"?]

	[[Category:Salvation]]		[[Category:Salvation]]

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Links

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	* [[Nostra aetate\|''Nostra aetate'': "Declaration On The Relation Of The Church To Non-Christian Religions."]]		* [[Nostra aetate\|''Nostra aetate'': "Declaration On The Relation Of The Church To Non-Christian Religions."]]
	* [http://www.catholic.com/tracts/salvation-outside-the-church ''Catholic Answers,'' "Salvation Outside the Church."]		* [http://www.catholic.com/tracts/salvation-outside-the-church ''Catholic Answers,'' "Salvation Outside the Church."]
			* [http://www.catholic.com/magazine/articles/what-no-salvation-outside-the-church-means ''Catholic Answers,'' "What 'No Salvation Outside the Church' Means."]
			* [http://www.catholic.com/quickquestions/whats-the-correct-understanding-of-no-salvation-outside-the-church ''Catholic Answers,'' "What's the correct understanding of 'no salvation outside the Church'"?

	[[Category:Salvation]]		[[Category:Salvation]]

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2014-11-19T19:22:25Z

Links

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	== Links ==		== Links ==
	* [[Nostra aetate\|''Nostra aetate'': "Declaration On The Relation Of The Church To Non-Christian Religions."]]		* [[Nostra aetate\|''Nostra aetate'': "Declaration On The Relation Of The Church To Non-Christian Religions."]]
			* [http://www.catholic.com/tracts/salvation-outside-the-church ''Catholic Answers,'' "Salvation Outside the Church."]

	[[Category:Salvation]]		[[Category:Salvation]]

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2014-11-19T19:14:15Z

Catechism

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	::: Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it.336		::: Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it.336


	:: This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church:		:: This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church:

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Catechism

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	::: God graciously arranged that the things he had once revealed for the salvation of '''all peoples''' should remain in their entirety, throughout the ages, and be transmitted to all generations.<ref>DV 7; cf. 2 Cor 1:20; 3:16-4:6.</ref>		::: God graciously arranged that the things he had once revealed for the salvation of '''all peoples''' should remain in their entirety, throughout the ages, and be transmitted to all generations.<ref>DV 7; cf. 2 Cor 1:20; 3:16-4:6.</ref>

			:; [http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p3.htm#836 '''Who belongs to the Catholic Church?''']

			:: 836 "All men are called to this catholic unity of the People of God. . . . And to it, in different ways, belong or are ordered: the Catholic faithful, others who believe in Christ, and finally all mankind, called by God's grace to salvation."320

			:: 837 "Fully incorporated into the society of the Church are those who, possessing the Spirit of Christ, accept all the means of salvation given to the Church together with her entire organization, and who - by the bonds constituted by the profession of faith, the sacraments, ecclesiastical government, and communion - are joined in the visible structure of the Church of Christ, who rules her through the Supreme Pontiff and the bishops. Even though incorporated into the Church, one who does not however persevere in charity is not saved. He remains indeed in the bosom of the Church, but 'in body' not 'in heart.'"321

			:: 838 "The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honored by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter."322 Those "who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church."323 With the Orthodox Churches, this communion is so profound "that it lacks little to attain the fullness that would permit a common celebration of the Lord's Eucharist."324
			<pre>
			320 LG 13.
			321 LG 14.
			322 LG 15.
			323 UR 3.
			324 Paul VI, Discourse, December 14, 1975; cf. UR 13-18.
			</pre>

			:; [http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p3.htm#846 "Outside the Church there is no salvation"]

			:: 846 How are we to understand this affirmation, often repeated by the Church Fathers?335 Re-formulated positively, it means that all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body:

			::: Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it.336


			:: This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church:

			::: Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.337

			:: 848 "Although in ways known to himself God can lead those who, through no fault of their own, are ignorant of the Gospel, to that faith without which it is impossible to please him, the Church still has the obligation and also the sacred right to evangelize all men."338

			<pre>
			335 Cf. Cyprian, Ep. 73.21:PL 3,1169; De unit.:PL 4,509-536.
			336 LG 14; cf. Mk 16:16; Jn 3:5.
			337 LG 16; cf. DS 3866-3872.
			338 AG 7; cf. Heb 11:6; 1 Cor 9:16.
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	:; [http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p4s2a3.htm#2822 #2822]		:; [http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p4s2a3.htm#2822 #2822]