The Catechism states clearly
that non-Catholics can get to Heaven:
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. (CCC 847)
Does this mean there is no merit
in being Catholic? A Catholic once told
me, “If we all get to heaven, I might as well be Protestant. It’s easier!”
Actually, Catholics have it easier. For example, Catholics have access to all the
grace God makes available through all of the Sacraments. Non-Catholics don’t.
Furthermore, think of each individual being invited to live
in an amazing luxury compound located deep in the heart of a massive, dense
forest. Everyone who manages to hike through
the forest and arrive at the compound will be heartily welcomed. Furthermore, maps are available describing how
to get to the compound, including where there are vital rest stops along the
route. It is possible to reach the compound without having a map. It is also possible to have a map, misread it
- or ignore it altogether - and fail to reach the compound.
Catholicism is like that map. One can achieve eternal salvation without
being Catholic. One can be Catholic and
not achieve it. And yet, being Catholic
makes it much more likely that one will achieve it.
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