3.8. What is “religious indifferentism”, and why is it a heresy?
Religious indifferentism is the belief that one religion is as good as another and that salvation can be attained through any sincere faith, whether Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, or otherwise. This idea has been solemnly condemned by the Catholic Church throughout history as a mortal sin and a heresy.
The Church teaches infallibly that outside the Catholic Church there is no salvation (Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus). This is not a harsh opinion—it is a divine truth revealed by Christ and upheld by popes, councils, and saints from the earliest centuries. The one true Church, founded by Jesus Christ, is necessary for salvation, and those who knowingly remain outside of it cannot be saved.
Pope Pius IX, Pope Leo XIII, Pope Pius XI, and Pope Pius XII all condemned religious indifferentism in the strongest terms. The Council of Florence declared infallibly:
“No one, no matter how much he has given alms, even if he sheds his blood for the name of Christ, can be saved unless he remains within the bosom and unity of the Catholic Church.”
However, Vatican II contradicts this by teaching that non-Catholic religions can be means of grace and salvation, as seen in Lumen Gentium, Nostra Aetate, and Unitatis Redintegratio. These documents blur the lines between truth and error, and promote the false idea that sincerity in false religions is sufficient.
This heresy is known as religious indifferentism, and it destroys the missionary mandate of the Church, leaves souls in darkness, and ultimately denies Christ as the only way to the Father.
| Category | Traditional Catholic Teaching | Vatican II Teaching | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salvation | Outside the Church, there is no salvation | Other religions may be means of salvation | This contradicts infallible dogma and undermines the Church’s necessity |
| Truth | Only the Catholic Church possesses the fullness of truth | Other religions contain elements of truth and holiness | Suggests truth is partial and scattered among false sects |
| Evangelization | All must convert to the Catholic Faith to be saved | Dialogue replaces conversion as the goal | Destroys zeal for souls and the missionary identity of the Church |
| False Religions | Are to be rejected and opposed | Are to be respected and affirmed | This denies the first commandment and honors idolatry |
| Christ’s Role | Christ is the sole Mediator and Redeemer | Non-Christian religions can lead to God | Denies the uniqueness of Christ and the need for baptism |
Summary:
Religious indifferentism is not charity—it is spiritual poison. It teaches that souls can be saved in their errors and that truth does not matter, so long as one is sincere. But sincerity does not sanctify heresy. Only the truth saves, and that truth is found in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
By teaching indifferentism, Vatican II directly contradicts divine revelation and magisterial teaching, and leads souls away from Christ. That is why it must be rejected as a false council, and why faithful Catholics must reaffirm the Church’s exclusive role in salvation—as taught by Our Lord Himself.