Expert: Charlie B - 10/3/2007

Question
Hi I am 15 and I'm a Christian, I have a Catholic girlfriend. Afew weeks ago me and my mum were talking about my gf and we got on to the subject of different religions eg baptists and seventh day adventists and Catholics and all that and she said that there will only be Christians in Heaven and no Catholics, baptists and all them. I was wondering is this true? I thaught that Catholic was just a little branch of Christianity. Please help."

Answer
John, thanks for the courage and initiative to post this question.  In many parts of the US, Fundamentalist and Evangelical churches are actually teaching people what you're mum taught you, so don't blame her -- she doesn't know any better.  

Yes, Catholicism is a "little" branch of Christianity, totaling more than a BILLION people.  Ask your mum how many people are in her faith.  
Let's see, Catholicism is over 2000 years old.  Most Protestant religions are at most 400 years old (Martin Luther).  
Bottom-line, don't lose or leave your girlfriend because she's Catholic, and you are not.  I was raised Protestant, and converted to Catholicism ten years ago, after being married over 10 years... so there's always hope.  
Catholicism is deep and has a rich heritage, so it took me awhile... and it was the best decision that I ever made.  If you want some books to read or resources to look at, post a reply back.  And for the heck of it, go to Mass with her, and ask her about her religion so you learn from her.  Below, my lovely wife chimes in with thoughts for you:

There are so many misconceptions out there about Catholicism.  Let this young man know that all Christian faiths came form Catholicism.  Invite him to read the writings of the early church fathers.  These are men who were either instructed by the apostles directly or were instructed by someone who was not too far removed form the apostles (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_Fathers).  Some of them were St. Ambrose, St. Polycarp, and St. Ignatius.  He can check these two websites out that seemed particularly good, http://www.earlychurchfathers.org/
http://www.saintignatiuschurch.org/timeline.html#timechart  The early church was all and only Catholic, which means "universal."  

All of God's people have a chance to go to heaven if they live their lives as best as they can from what they have been taught about Our Lord, Jesus Christ.  Those that have not had the opportunity to hear the Gospel message will not be held accountable like those of us who have.  "Much is given, much is expected."  For this reason, we must be in constant search of the truth and be sure that it is the truth that we are spreading.  Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life."  When we have the truth, we have Jesus in our hearts.  It is always best to pray for the spiritual guidance of the Holy Spirit when we have questions.  Our Lord loves to see us come in search of Him and the Truth.  He will answer.

Hope this helps.
God bless you.  charlie & geri