What did Pope Francis Say About Multiple Paths to God?
As one who reads every magisterial statement the pope has written, this most recent example where he said “there are different paths” to reach God is the first time I have disagreed with the pope’s implied theology.
In Fiducia Supplicans I thought the documents’ use of “couples” in describing the possibility of blessing homosexual “couples” was imprudent. The document itself clarified that the blessing cannot in any way be a blessing upon the sinful union of two men or two women. And the pope has made this clear numerous times since that time. “Priests can bless the people” who are crying out to God to live the Gospel, not the union. Amen! The pope never said anything contrary to the Faith.
However, having said that, in this instance, the pope definitely misspoke. John 14:6 is very clear. “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father except by me.” And Eph. 1:22-23 is very clear that the Church is Jesus Christ extended into this world: “… and he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fulness of him who fills all in all.” Thus, the Church teaches, “there is no salvation outside of the Catholic Church” (Lumen Gentium, 14). Period.
It is true that people who are invincibly ignorant, i.e., they have never rejected the truth of Jesus Christ and that he established the Catholic Church for the salvation of the world, can be saved by the grace of God working through the legitimate sacraments and/or truths or “images and shadows” of truth they may have. But that is substantially different from saying “there are different paths to the same God.” That is false. In fact, I would say that is contrary to definitive teaching of the Church. However, that does not mean the pope is a heretic. Heresy is, by definition in the Church, “… the obstinate post-baptismal denial of some truth which must be believed with divine and catholic faith, or it is likewise an obstinate doubt concerning the same…” (CCC 2089; CIC 751). The pope is not “obstinate.” In fact, the Vatican (with the pope’s approval, of course) edited the statement in the official transcript that is up right now on the Vatican website.
The official statement of the pope now reads: “Tutte le religioni sono un cammino per arrivare a Dio.” This translates: “Religions are seen as paths trying to reach God.” And it then adds words as well to make things clear, adding: “There is only one God, and religions are like languages that try to express ways to approach God.” That is entirely orthodox.
Many religions of the world represent the attempt to reach God (except for, say, Hinayana Buddhism which is tantamount to, as Pope St. John Paul II said, “religious atheism” or other such “religions” that do not believe in God). But there is only one religion that gets the job done by divine declaration.
The good news is, the corrected statement of the Holy Father is entirely orthodox. And always remember: a statement of a pope is not “official” (magisterial) until he says so!
So if you want to read Pope Francis’ magisterial teaching from his talk in Singapore, read the corrected and amended version.
Did you enjoy this content? Consider making a one time gift to support this Tim’s ministry. Or consider becoming a monthly supporter and gain access to hours of unique Catholic content by becoming an Apostolic Insider.
