8.243. Is there a contradiction between Vatican II’s “New Evangelization” (Ad Gentes, Evangelii Nuntiandi) and traditional Catholic doctrine on converting non-Catholics?
Yes. Vatican II’s theology of mission, especially in Ad Gentes and the post-conciliar document Evangelii Nuntiandi (“Pope” Paul VI, 1975), represents a significant departure from the traditional Catholic doctrine that all non-Catholics must be converted to the Catholic Church for salvation. The traditional mission of the Church was clear: to convert all nations, religions, and sects to the one true Faith. Vatican II, by contrast, replaced this clear and exclusive call to conversion with ambiguous language about dialogue, mutual enrichment, and shared truths, thereby undermining the urgency, clarity, and divine mandate of the Church’s evangelizing mission.
1. Traditional Teaching: All Must Convert to the Catholic Church
For centuries, the Catholic Church held it as a divinely revealed truth that salvation is found only in the Catholic Church, and that it is the solemn duty of the Church to call all outside of her—pagans, Jews, Muslims, Protestants, schismatics—to repentance and conversion.
“Let those who labor for the conversion of infidels bear in mind that the aim of their work must be the conversion of them to the true faith and to the Church of Christ, outside of which there is no salvation.”
“True reunion can only be promoted by promoting the return to the one true Church of Christ.”
“No one, no matter how many alms he has given… can be saved unless he remains in the bosom and unity of the Catholic Church.”
The Church’s mission was to convert, not dialogue; to proclaim the truth, not search for common ground; and to bring souls into the one ark of salvation, not affirm them in their errors.
2. Vatican II’s New Language: Ad Gentes, Evangelii Nuntiandi
While Ad Gentes (1965) maintains some traditional vocabulary (e.g. “mission”), it introduces ambiguous language that shifts emphasis from conversion to presence, dialogue, and service:
“The Church must be present to these groups through her children, who dwell among them or are sent to them… It is therefore right that they should radiate that faith and charity.”
“The purpose of missionary activity is not only the establishment of the Church in new communities… but the dialogue of salvation.”
This language downplays the necessity of conversion and emphasizes subjective experience and human fraternity. “Pope” Paul VI’s follow-up on evangelization, furthers this shift:
“The Church is not alone in this evangelizing task… there are other religions that also offer values.”
“Evangelization does not consist only of preaching… but of witness, dialogue, and presence.”
“The Church respects and esteems other religious traditions.”
The result is a horizontal, anthropocentric mission, centered on dialogue, social development, and peace-building rather than on the salvation of souls through the truth of the Catholic Faith.
3. Consequences of the New Approach
Collapse of Missionary Orders: Religious congregations that once converted nations now focus on humanitarian work and dialogue.
Doctrinal Relativism: The new language implies that non-Catholics are fine where they are, as long as they are sincere.
Indifferentism: Catholics lose conviction that the Church alone possesses the fullness of truth.
Liturgical and Ecclesial Confusion: Joint prayers with heretics and pagans give the impression that all religions are equal.
Pope Pius X foresaw this in 1907:
“The partisans of error are to be sought not only among the Church’s open enemies; they lie hid… in her very bosom.”
| Category | Traditional Catholic Teaching | Vatican II – Ad Gentes / Evangelii Nuntiandi | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose of Mission | Convert all to the Catholic Church for salvation | Dialogue, witness, and presence among non-Catholics | Undermines urgency and clarity of conversion mandate |
| Salvation | Outside the Church there is no salvation | Other religions may contribute to salvation | Contradicts *Cantate Domino* and *Unam Sanctam* |
| Attitude Toward Error | Error must be rejected and corrected | Error is often praised for its “truths” and values | Leads to confusion and loss of doctrinal identity |
| Conversion | Essential and explicit goal of evangelization | Rarely mentioned; often implied to be optional | Softens the Church’s exclusive claim to truth |
| Missionary Zeal | All Catholics must work to convert souls | Emphasis on humanitarian presence and shared values | Has led to the collapse of true missionary activity |
Summary:
The traditional Catholic doctrine has always taught that all men must be converted to the one true Church in order to be saved. This was the clear and unwavering message of Christ, the Apostles, and the popes throughout history. Missionary activity, therefore, was essential—not optional—and involved clear preaching of Catholic truth, rejection of error, and call to conversion.
Vatican II, in Ad Gentes, and especially in Evangelii Nuntiandi, shifted this mission toward dialogue, mutual enrichment, and witness, rather than conversion. Salvation is no longer proclaimed as found only in the Catholic Church; rather, other religions are acknowledged as possessing salvific elements. The result is a theology of mission that lacks clarity, conviction, and urgency.
This shift has had catastrophic consequences: religious orders that once converted entire nations now avoid proclaiming the Gospel explicitly. Catholics have become uncertain whether conversion is necessary. The Church appears to promote religious pluralism, despite still professing one Creed.
Faithful Catholics must reject the false “New Evangelization” and reaffirm the true mandate of Christ:
“Go therefore, and teach all nations… baptizing them… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
The goal of Catholic mission remains what it has always been: to bring souls to the one true Church of Christ for their eternal salvation.