The same is true for all world religions.  We do not reject anything of other religions that is true.  For example, if someone were to say, “My religion teaches we should love all people.”  We’d say, “Great!”  By the fact they accept this truth, a truth which is true not because it is taught by another religion but simply because it is true, they are responding to grace and are partially members of the one Church of Christ!

But the same principle applies to them just as it did to the atheist.  If they stay in their religion and fail to discover the Christian truths of salvation in an explicit way because they are stubborn or close-minded, then we have a problem.  But if, “through no fault of their own,” they fail to discover these truths but only seek the truths of God that just so happen to also be in their religion, then they too are on the road to salvation and are, to a certain degree, members of the Church.

Non-Catholic Christians are the same way.  They know Christ Jesus.  They have the Scriptures.  They pray and worship the Triune God.  But they do fail to grasp certain aspects of the fullness of faith.  They also are members of the one Church of Christ insofar as they are united to the truths of the faith.  

And, truth be told, just because someone is Catholic does not mean they are necessarily a full member of the Church of Christ either.  It’s not enough to be Catholic in name.  It must be in practice. 

Lastly, it must be said that those who have been entrusted with the Gospel, especially those Catholics entrusted with the fullness of the faith, are called to spread the explicit message of our faith so as to bring everyone into the Church of Christ and even into the Catholic Church itself.  We are called to be missionaries at home, at work, abroad, in the public square and everywhere.  We need to understand that it is our duty and privilege to share the Good News with all!

In the end, all are welcome and all are called to come to the fullness of faith in Christ and to live it not only in their conscience but also explicitly, proclaiming the full truths of faith.  This is the mission of all and reveals the true meaning of the word “catholic.”  

To Be Continued…