MyCatholicSource.com - 'Quick Help' Page: Can There Be Saints/Martyrs Outside The Church?

Answer / Resources:

[click link(s) below, as applicable]

No. There cannot be saints/martyrs outside the Church for various reasons. First and most importantly, as the Church has always maintained, there is no salvation outside the Church. The Church alone has the means of salvation & the 'keys to heaven' (see Mt. 16:19) – to imply that a non-Catholic is a saint would imply that there is another means of salvation available to those outside the Church, which is contrary to Scripture and to the constant teaching of the Church.

Also...

* Objectively speaking, heresy and schism are sins – to honor pagans / heretics / schismatics as role models would be an affront to many saints who died fighting against heresy / schism / etc., not to mention God (who hates heresy/schism)

"It is a certain, well-established fact that no other crime so seriously offends God and provokes His greatest wrath as the vice of heresy. Nothing contributes more to the ruin of provinces and kingdoms than this frightful pest." (St. Charles Borromeo)

* Saints are to be models for imitation, whereas non-Catholics cannot be good spiritual role models for Catholics' imitation

* Saints are to live in accordance with Catholic faith/morals, but non-Catholics live contrary to the faith and also are likely to participate in actions & behaviors which are directly contrary to morals (since one's religion affects one's behavior)

* Those outside the Church reject Christ's representative, the Pope, and they also (most likely) reject the true Flesh & Blood of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, as well as other essential Catholic dogmas

And, frankly, it seems ridiculous to think that the Church should declare those who reject her to be 'saints'.

As for martyrs, besides there being no salvation outside the Church, St. Cyprian says...

"There can be no such thing as a martyr out of the Church... Though [heretics and schismatics] be thrown into the fire, or be exposed to the fury of wild beasts, such a death will never be esteemed a crown of their faith and constancy, but rather a punishment of their perfidy. Such a man may be put to death, but cannot be crowned."

+ + +

"[The Holy Roman Catholic Church] firmly believes, professes, and proclaims that those not living within the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews and heretics and schismatics cannot become participants in eternal life, but will depart 'into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels' (Matt. 25:41), unless before the end of life the same have been added to the flock; and that the unity of the ecclesiastical body is so strong that only to those remaining in it are the sacraments of the Church of benefit for salvation, and do fastings, almsgiving, and other functions of piety and exercises of Christian service produce eternal reward, and that no one, whatever almsgiving he has practiced, even if he has shed blood for the name of Christ, can be saved, unless he has remained in the bosom and unity of the Catholic Church." (Council of Florence, c. 1441 A.D.) [Denzinger 714, emphasis added]

Reminder: We make no guarantee whatsoever regarding any item herein. Items herein may be the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect our views. All applicable items may be subject to change at any time without notice. Utilize any link(s) appearing on this page at your own risk. For more terms information, see "Important Notice" below.