Posted by Philip St. Romain on September 27, 19100 at 17:03:17:
In Reply to: A best religion question posted by Catherine on September 27, 19100 at 15:52:53:
Hi Catherine,
The Catholic Church teaches that people from all religions can indeed be saved, but this doesn't mean that the religion one belongs to makes no difference. Non-Christians, for example, who know nothing of the Gospel, can be saved if they have been obedient to the voice of God manifesting in conscience and through their religions.
The term "best religion" doesn't actually represent what the Church teaches. It would be more to the point to say that the fullness of salvation which Christ brings is present in the Catholic Church, and, to a lesser extent in the other Christian Churches. I can see how people would interpret this as "better than" or arrogance, but it's not a new teaching, by any means. The real question is why the leaders felt a need to say it again.
Thanks for your note,
Phil