QUOTATION: Salvation Through the Church

Also well known is the Catholic teaching that no one can be saved outside the Catholic Church. Eternal salvation cannot be obtained by those who oppose the authority and statements of the same Church and are stubbornly separated from the unity of the Church and also from the successor of Peter, the Roman Pontiff, to whom "the custody of the vineyard has been committed by the Savior." The words of Christ are clear enough:

"If he refuses to listen even to the Church, let him be to you a Gentile and a tax collector;"

"He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you, rejects me, and he who rejects me, rejects him who sent me;"

"He who does not believe will be condemned;"

"He who does not believe is already condemned;"

"He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters."

The Apostle Paul says that such persons are "perverted and self-condemned;" the Prince of the Apostles calls them "false teachers . . . who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master. . . bringing upon themselves swift destruction."

-- Pope Pius IX, Quanto Conficiamur Moerore


(Formatted for easier reading).

QUOTATION: Salvation and Invincible Ignorance

Here, too, our beloved sons and venerable brothers, it is again necessary to mention and censure a very grave error entrapping some Catholics who believe that it is possible to arrive at eternal salvation although living in error and alienated from the true faith and Catholic unity. Such belief is certainly opposed to Catholic teaching. There are, of course, those who are struggling with invincible ignorance about our most holy religion. Sincerely observing the natural law and its precepts inscribed by God on all hearts and ready to obey God, they live honest lives and are able to attain eternal life by the efficacious virtue of divine light and grace. Because God knows, searches and clearly understands the minds, hearts, thoughts, and nature of all, his supreme kindness and clemency do not permit anyone at all who is not guilty of deliberate sin to suffer eternal punishments.

-- Pope Pius IX, Quanto Conficiamur Moerore

QUOTATION: The Catholic Label

It has always been the custom of heretics and schismatics to call themselves Catholics and to proclaim their many excellences in order to lead peoples and princes into error.

--Pope Pius IX, Quartus Supra

QUOTATION: Why the Pope must be Sovereign

If the Roman Pontiff were subject to the sway of another ruler, but no longer possessed civil power, neither his position nor the acts of the Apostolic ministry would be exempt from the authority of the other ruler. This ruler could be either a heretic or a persecutor of the Church or constantly at war with other rulers.

--Pope Pius IX, Ubi Nos

QUOTATION: America

America today is the only country where I am truly considered a Pope in the eyes of the Government. In the nations of Europe, I have reason to fear that my acts are checked or rejected by the governments. But I can send any pontifical document whatsoever to America with complete freedom and without fear that the Government might oppose its publication.

--Pope Pius IX, 1874

QUOTATION: Faith and Reason

Right reason demonstrates, safeguards and defends the truth of faith, whereas faith frees reason from all errors and through the knowledge of divine things enlightens, strengthens and perfects it.

--Pius IX, Qui Pluribus, 1846