Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus

Based on a text by Corey Zelinski of the Fedei Defensores list, written in reaction to the Roncallite US Bishops' understanding with the Jews...

This recensed & re-edited version by Prax Maskaren, with permission of the author...
  1. That it has been the constant practice of the Church of God to "target for conversion" all those outside her bosom, that they may be come to know the Truth and be saved;


  2. That it has been the Tradition of both Christendom as a whole, and the Roman Church in particular to pray for the conversion of the Jews;


  3. That, although those who are invincibly ignorant of the Catholic religion can, indeed, through the Church, be saved (cf. +Richard Cushing, Aug. 8, 1949 to the Holy Office; numerous documents of the early Church Fathers on the Baptisms of Desire and Blood; Council of Trent, Session VI, Ch. IV; invincible ignorance not sinful - see "Singulari Quidem," (March 17, 1856) - declaration IV, Blessed Pius IX; "Baltimore Catechism;").

    The following are infallible definitions of the Ordinary Magisterium and of the Extra-Ordinary Magisterium, stated ex cathedra by the holy Roman Pontiffs:

    1. "Whoever wishes to be saved, needs above all to hold the Catholic faith; unless each one preserves this whole and inviolate, he will without a doubt perish in eternity." - The Creed Quicumque Vult or the Athanasian Creed, (cf. Enchiridion Symbolorum, Definitionum et Declarationum Rebus Fidei et Morum; or The Sources of Catholic Dogma, Henry Denzinger; 30th edition, Dz. 39)


    2. "If anyone, however, either suggests or believes or presumes to teach contrary to this faith, let him know that he is condemned and also anathematized according to the opinion of the same Fathers... Consider [therefore] the fact that whoever has not been in the peace and unity of the Church, cannot have the Lord. [Galatians 3:7]" - Pope Pelagius II, circa 585 A.D. (cf. Dz. 246)


    3. "By the heart we believe and by the mouth we confess the one Church, not of heretics but the Holy Roman, catholic, and Apostolic [Church] outside which we believe that no one is saved." - Pope Innocent III, 1208 A.D. (cf. Dz. 423)


    4. "With Faith urging us we are forced to believe and to hold the one, holy, Catholic Church and that, apostolic, and we firmly believe and simply confess this [Church] outside which there is no salvation nor remission of sins..." - Pope Boniface VIII, 1302 A.D. Constitution Unam Sanctam against the errors of Philip le Bel, King of France, and his abettors, William Nogaret and Scafiro Colonna. (cf. Dz. 468)


    5. "...we declare, say, define, and proclaim to every human creature that they by necessity for salvation are entirely subject to the Roman Pontiff." (cf. Dz. 469)


    6. Sacred Ecumenical Council of Florence, Pope Eugenius IV, 1442 A.D - "It firmly believes, professes, and proclaims that those not living within the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews, and heretics and schismatics cannot become participants in eternal life, but will depart 'into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels' [Matt. 25:41], unless before the end of life the same have been added to the flock; and that the ecclesiastical body is so strong that only to those remaining in it are the sacraments of the Church of benefit for salvation, and do fastings, almsgiving, and other functions of piety and exercises of Christian service produce eternal reward, and that no one, whatever almsgiving he has practiced, even if he has shed blood for the name of Christ, can be saved, unless he has remained in the bosom and unity of the Catholic Church." (cf. Dz. 714)

    This dogma ("extra Ecclesiam, nulla salus" or "outside of the Church, no salvation") was affirmed by Pope Gregory XVI in 1832, Pope Pius IX in 1854, Pope Pius IX in 1863 A.D, explained under Pius XII in 1949, against Fr. Leonard Feeney, S.J. (confirming the constant belief in invincible ignorance and the three baptisms, viz. the Sacramental one, of water, that of blood, i.e. martyrdom, and that of desire).


  4. That those who knowingly deny Christ or the Catholic Church through their own fault, cannot be saved.


  5. That Christ and the Church are necessary elements in God�s plan for salvation.


  6. To state that the biblical covenant between Jews and God is valid and therefore Jews do not need to be saved through faith in Jesus Christ is erroneous and heretical in nature.


  7. That it is a good and wholesome thought to evangelize all men, sharing with them the Gospel of Christ. This includes Jews.


  8. That the Old Covenant was superceded by the New Covenant, and that the Catholic Church is now the true Judaism, the fulfillment and continuation of the Hebrew religious tradition. St. Paul is an example of a Jew converted by God, subsequent to the advent of Christ�s New Covenant - for He did not come to destroy the Law, but to fulfill it.


  9. That the Catholic Church is not equal to any other religious body on Earth, as it is the true Church of God.
Where there are sins, there are also divisions, schisms, heresies, and disputes. Where there is virtue, however, there also are harmony and unity, from which arise the one heart and one soul of all believers.
From: "Corey Zelinski" <[email protected]>; Tue, 20 May 2003

Mr. Maskaren,

You have my permission to use the document you sent me exactly as you sent it to me.

I would also appreciate it greatly if you would link to Fedei Defensores (http://www.Catholics.tk)

In Christ our King and Mary our Queen,

Corey Zelinski

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

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