9.7 Elements of the Church outside the Catholic Church
Full incorporation into the communion of the Church depends on full sacramental life and unity regulated by the office of Peter and the Apostles. However, it must be recognised that Christian communities outside the Catholic Church are used by the Holy Spirit as the means of salvation for their members (UR 3), through what they hold in common with the Catholic Church.
(The Diocese of Lancaster's Mission Document available on their website , Fit for Mission?-Church, states here that Protestants are saved in their religion and so do not have to convert into the Catholic Church with 'faith and baptism'(Ad Gentes 7).
They are saved through Jesus and the Church.
It cites Unitatis Redintigratio 3 (UR 3),Vatican Council II.
UR 3 mentions those non Catholics who can be saved in imperfect communion with the Church as a possibility. It is accepted in faith, in principle. UR 3 does not state that this is the ordinary means of salvation or that these cases are explicit for us to be known exceptions to the dogma extra ecclesiam nulla salus.
UR 3 does not contradict AG 7 which says all need faith and baptism for salvation. Protestants do not have Catholic Faith, they have no access to the Sacraments of the Church through which Jesus saves, they do not follow the moral and doctrinal teachings of the Church to avoid mortal sin and preserve Sanctifying Grace).
I consider it important that all Catholics in our diocese clearly grasp the Second Vatican Council’s understanding that there is one Church of Christ, not many churches. While the Catholic Church possesses the fullness of communion, non Catholic churches and communities participate, to various degrees, in the communion of the one Church of Christ...
(They need to convert into the Catholic Church according to Ad Gentes 7.
They also need to convert into the Catholic Church according to the dogma extra ecclesiam nulla salus. UR 3 does not contradict the dogma on exclusive salvation in the Catholic Church since there are no known exceptions in 2014.)
I would expect everyone in our diocese to actively engage in the vital work of genuine ecumenism, as an urgent Mission Priority..
Vatican Council II does not contradict the dogma extra ecclesiam nulla salus as it was known to the saints through the centuries. This doctrinal teaching can be a part of ecumenism in the Diocese of Lancaster. It has been the basis for Mission for centuries.
To assume that UR 3 is an exception to the dogma extra ecclesiam nulla salus is irrational. It is also a new doctrine and it contradicts Vatican Council II.
-Lionel Andrades
Diocese of Lancaster website makes no mention of exclusive salvation in the Catholic Church
http://eucharistandmission.blogspot.it/2014/03/diocese-of-lancster-website-makes-no.html#links
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