Expert: Tom Schott - 3/31/2006

Question
Hello,
At church this past Wednesday a lady made the statement that there was now no difference between the Catholic church and the protestant church.  I think she said that the Catholic church no longer believed in purgatory, no longer had people pray to saints or Mary for forgiveness of sins, no longer needed to "confess" to a local Catholic priest. Does the Catholic church believe that you must be a member of a local Catholic church to be saved?

Answer
Don,

 There are no bigger experts on the Catholic Church than a casual Catholic, which is what your informant is. She's wrong on every count.
1. Catholic church still "believes" in purgatory, but explains it in far different way than previously and does not actively teach the doctrine any longer.
2. Mary and saints do not forgive sins; only God can do that. People can still pray to them for intercession before God.
3. Confession, although admittedly a sacrament that has fallen into disuse by many Catholics, is still required of all Catholics once a year.
4. The Catholic Church does not believe or teach that one must even be a Catholic to be saved.

Hope this clears matters up for you.

Deacon Tom