Vatican Council II addressed this point in its “Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium),” “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” (no. 16). In short, those who are truly unaware of what God requires of them are not held responsible; rather they are judged by what they did with the truth they had.
Protestants have their own version of “No Salvation outside the Church”. They believe that unless a person accepts Christ as personal Lord and Savior he or she is headed for hell. No allowances are made for people who don’t know any better. The Catholic Church rightly portrays God as both just and merciful – as opposed to legalistic.
Traditionalists view God in the same way that Protestants do. Do it right or you are lost. They reject Vatican II’s qualification of the doctrine. They contend that Vatican II ignored earlier councils and introduced something new. Thus it is invalid and to be ignored. This of course is false. The Church’s teachings before and after the council are the same.
The other side: Who will not gain salvation:
185. Who is punished in hell? Those are punished in hell who die in mortal sin; they are deprived of the vision of God and suffer dreadful torments, especially that of fire, for all eternity.
69. What three things are necessary to make a sin mortal? To make a sin mortal these three things are necessary: First, the thought, desire, word, action, or omission must be seriously wrong; second, the sinner must know that it is seriously wrong; third, the sinner must fully consent to it.
So only a mortal sin can damn you to hell. And in order to be guilty of a mortal sin, you must know that you are committing one! Hence, if you don’t know, you are not guilty. Jesus Himself teaches this very thing in John 9:40-41 where He says to the Pharisees: “Some of the Pharisees near Him heard this, and they said to Him, ‘Are we also blind?’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say ‘we see,’ your guilt remains.’” In other words because they knew better they were guilty of sin. Had they not known better, they would not have been guilty.
Yes. That’s why I’m not a Roman or any other rite catholic church member.
There seems to be a gulf between us that neither can cross.
You break one law, you are guilty of them all.
James 2:10-11 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
“Traditionalists view God in the same way that Protestants do. Do it right or you are lost. They reject Vatican II’s qualification of the doctrine. They contend that Vatican II ignored earlier councils and introduced something new. Thus it is invalid and to be ignored. This of course is false. The Church’s teachings before and after the council are the same.”
Well you have one thing right that Vat II simply concurred with the COT. Now to say that your denominational teachings are the same before and after is... well a complete lie. After 21 or so councils your Church has changed many times sure they used really fancy words to clarify, but it still changed.
It sure sounds to me like this is saying people can be good enough to get to heaven. So, someone doesn't know about the Roman Catholic church or the gospel of Jesus Christ, but tries to be a good person (try in their actions to do His will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience) CAN still go to heaven? How do you explain what GOD actually says:
And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them. (John 3:36)
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:16)
The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. (I John 5:10-12)
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Rom. 1:18-20)
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (John 14:6)
I don't shortchange the power and love of God. If it is His will that ALL be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth - and He says it is - then He WILL be known by anyone who diligently seeks Him - no matter who or where.
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)