Expert: Edward Bode - 6/6/2004

Question
Thanks for taking the time to answer my question. I was raised protestant, and my husband is Catholic, as are my children. Lately I have felt very drawn to the Catholic church, partly because of the emphasis on following one's conscience. It is my understanding that Catholics believe that members of all faiths can attain salvation by following their conscience. Can you tell me if this is part of Catholic doctrine? Can you think of any scriptural references that pertain to it? I keep thinking of Jesus saying, "No one comes to the Father except through Me" and wondering exactly what He meant. Thanks.

Answer
Jesus' words which you quoted convey the essential message that He is the one and the only mediator and savior of the human race.  For that purpose, He gave His life for our salvation and entrusted to His apostles that task of bringing His total message with His grace to all people.  
1 Timothy 2:4 says that God desires that all people be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.  God wills the salvation of everyone through the knowledge of the truth.  Salvation is found in the truth.  Those who obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit of truth are on the road to salvation.
So, I urge that you would continue to enquire and pray about the Catholic faith.  A conference with a priest at your local parish would be a worthwhile step.
The Church officially teaches [Vatican Council II in its decree on the Church]: "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."
However, the Church provides the fullness of aids for attaining salvation through the totality of Jesus' truths and through a multitude of graces in its Sacraments.
If you would like to write again for further thoughts, please feel free to do so.
Best wishes, Melinda.