The Church has frequently stated in Councils that the only people who can get to Heaven are Catholics who die in good standing with The Church.
“Whew!” practicing Catholics say. “Maybe I’ll make it!” On reflection, they may wonder “What about my friends and family who aren’t Catholics in good standing with The Church? Can their souls get to Heaven?”
Catholic Fundamentalism is very hesitant to even suggest any disagreement with anything decided by a properly constituted Church Council. “Who are we to argue with them? The Holy Spirit directly advised them, and they have the papers to prove it.”
Despite the teachings of Church Councils on the impossibility of non-Catholics getting to Heaven, is there a way that those who aren’t Catholic can get there?
Is the “Shadow of Peter Theory” worth betting on?
It may be possible there’s a way for Christians, Jews, and others of good will to be saved. When considering this theory, remember, in light of what has gone before in Church Councils under the direction of The Holy Spirit, that this theory may be worse than worthless:
The Book of Acts: “They brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. (Acts 5:15
Some may postulate: If a person who is not a Catholic recognizes that he and his beliefs are in “the shadow of Peter”, he has taken a step that, in and of itself, may make salvation possible. For instance, Mainline Protestants who believe in the Catholic doctrine of The Trinity may say, “God, let my belief in The Trinity be sufficient to let me be in the shadow of Peter so that my soul may be healed and saved.”
Recognizing and rejoicing that one is “in the shadow of Peter”, as is every person whose thinking, language, and culture incorporates recognition of Catholic truths to the point there’s a growing love of God and neighbor, may at least be a sufficient start. As long as we’re making progress from that point, we may be able to get to Heaven.
Is “The Shadow of Peter Theory” worth betting on? It may sound good. But. Personally, we may not want to bet our own souls on that. That wager is far, far riskier than simply saying, “Jesus said, ‘Thou are Peter. On this rock, I build My Church.’ so I’m listening to Jesus and converting. That’s the surer way to be saved.”
The counter to ideas like “The Shadow of Peter Theory” is this: Every human being is given sufficient time, knowledge, and ability to choose to become, or to remain, Catholic. Those who do not use that time wisely enough to do so must suffer eternal consequences for not clearing that hurdle.
Becoming a practicing Catholic in good standing is the safest way to get to Heaven. Why? If the Church is valid, Her Councils are valid, and their decisions are correct.
It would be neither wise nor prudent to wager one’s soul on “The Being in the Shadow of Peter Theory”. If we aren’t practicing Catholics, we really ought to ask ourselves why we don’t get moving in that direction. The only reasons not to do so put us in very grave danger.
