Expert: Sal - 3/19/2006

Question
Not I read Catholic teaching about salvation of people in other religions. You quoted the catechism, that those who do not know God or Christ but still seek God with a sincere heart and try to do good as their conscience tells them, may achieve eternal salvation.

I firmly believe this is true. But how can it be reconciled with the words of Jesus, “No one comes to the Father except through me”? (Maryland)  

Answer
Dear Michael:

Jesus' statement that “no one comes to the Father but through me”(Jn. 14:6) can be reconciled with salvation of non-Christians. This can be because even if one does not know Jesus he still comes to the Father through what Jesus did.  Jesus' death and Resurrection is what makes it possible for a person to be saved. Prior to the coming of Jesus no one could be “saved”. This is because heaven was closed to man due to the sin of Adam and Eve. Therefore, anyone who is saved comes to the Father through what Jesus accomplished whether he knows it or not. Without Jesus' death and Resurrection no one could come to the Father. That is what I believe Jesus meant when he said, “no one comes to the Father but through me.”  

God Bless You,
Sal