Extra Extra! The New Fatima Crusader Arrived!

I often wonder what my mailman must think when he delivers my mail. Does he look to see from whom I get mail? If he does, he must be a little perplexed if he knows anything about “religion.” I get all sorts of religious things. Of course, I get a bunch of Reformed “type” things. But I also get some “fringe” literature.

I must admit, I do get a little charged up when I get the latest copy of The Fatima Crusader- which came yesterday. The Fatima Crusader is a small periodical dedicated to the Virgin Mary and her "message" given at Fatima. Now, my Catholic friends tell me the man who runs this little magazine is an apostate priest. Indeed, the articles about Mary, and the devotion poured forth on every page are outrageous. The Mariolatry is strikingly similar to the state of the church during and before the Reformation.

One article in the latest Fatima Crusader though stood out, because it’s content was very similar to a link (http://aomin.org/YouTell.html) that I’ve used for years from James White’s Alpha and Omega Ministries. Now, relax. I believe the information that Dr. White put forth in this link is helpful and accurate- I am not for a moment suggesting that Dr. White is in any way arguing in favor of the Fatima Crusader. If you know me at all, you know that I dig James White, a lot.

Dr White puts forth compelling historical information that shows that at one time, the Roman Catholic Church was very specific on whom went to Heaven. If you weren’t a member of the Roman Catholic Church, but were rather a heretic, Muslim, or of the Jewish faith, you were in big trouble- eternal trouble. Dr White notes:

“The Council of Florence, the 17th Ecumenical (and hence “infallible”) Council of the Roman Catholic Church, said the following:

It firmly believes, professes, and proclaims that those not living within the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews and heretics and schismatics cannot become participants in eternal life, but will depart "into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels" [Matt. 25:41], unless before the end of life the same have been added to the flock; and that the unity of the ecclesiastical body is so strong that only to those remaining in it are the sacraments of the Church of benefit for salvation, and do fastings, almsgiving, and other functions of piety and exercises of Christian service produce eternal reward, and that no one, whatever almsgiving he has practiced, even if he has shed blood for the name of Christ, can be saved, unless he has remained in the bosom and unity of the Catholic Church. (Denzinger 714).

Now, that’s pretty plain. White goes on to show that the Roman Catholic Church no longer teaches this:

“…section 841 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1993) says: The Church's relationship with the Muslims. "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day."

Now, check this out from the latest Fatima Crusader. The Crusader is very angry at “Father Dupris” whose part of an “Interfaith Congress”. This “congress” is willing to have “interfaith” type of ceremonies at the (cough, cough…) "sacred shrine" of Fatima. The warriors of Fatima are not pleased to have Hindus and Buddhists at their shrine. Here is how the Fatima Crusader argues:

Against Catholic Truth
"Father Dupuis' assertions defy defined Catholic dogma. The Council of Florence defined infallibly that "Pagans, Jews, heretics and schismatics" are "outside the Catholic Church," and as such, "can never be partakers of eternal life unless before death, they are joined to the Catholic Church", the one true Church founded by Our Lord.

The Catechism of the Council of Trent, faithful to this truth, teaches, "infidels, heretics, schismatics and excommunicated persons" are "excluded from the church's pale." In other words, Protestants, Jews, Mohammedans, Hindus, Buddhists, etc., are not part of the Catholic church, which is the Kingdom of God on earth.

The Catechism of Pope Saint Pius X, centuries later, presents the same truth without change. It teaches, "Outside the true Church are: Infidels, Jews, heretics, apostates, schismatics and excommunicated persons." It states further, "No one can be saved outside the Catholic,
Apostolic, and Roman Church, just as no one could be saved from the flood outside the Ark of Noah, which was a figure of the Church."

This is the consistent teaching of the Church and the consistent teaching of the Popes
throughout the centuries.

Pope Gregory XVI taught "It is not possible to worship God truly except in Her (the Catholic Church); all who are outside of Her will not be saved."

Blessed Pope Pius IX taught likewise, "It must be held as a matter of faith that outside the Apostolic Roman Church, no one can be saved; that this is the only ark of salvation; that he who shall not have entered therein will perish in the flood."

Pope Pius XI, in his liturgical prayer for the Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, said, "Be Thou King of those who are still involved in the darkness of idolatry, or of Islamism, and refuse not to draw them into the light and Kingdom of God". This demonstrates that idolaters (such as Hindus) and Muslims are not part of the Kingdom of God, as Father Dupuis falsely asserts.

Further, Pope Pius XII in his 1950 Encyclical Humani Generis, complained against modernist theologians who "reduce to a meaningless formula the necessity of belonging to the true Church in order to gain eternal salvation.""

Pius XII further taught that neither sanctity nor salvation can be found outside of
the Catholic Church."

Source: The Fatima Crusader- Autumn 2005 (Issue 81) 27-28.

Now I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve posted the link from Dr. White, and I’ve had all sorts of Roman Catholics defend the belief that those outside the Roman Catholic Church can be saved. The argument goes: Only those who knowingly know the Roman Catholic Church is the true church but yet deny this will be lost eternally. This sounds somewhat silly- it doesn’t do justice to history. If the Roman Catholic Church previously taught that those outside the church are lost, saying now they are really found is an awful historical contradiction. It is a little bit of fallible-ness if you ask me.