This continues an emphasis seen in the Pope's work. During his visit to Lebanon he said, "One of the great lessons that Lebanon can teach to the world is showing a land where Islam and Christianity are both respected, and that there is the possibility to live together, to be friends." The Pope's comment ignored the fact that the Christian church in Lebanon has been devastated by Muslim persecution.
The Pope's statement in Algeria demonstrates two important realities. The first is his willful desire to ignore the persecution of Christians by Muslims. Fourteen of the top twenty nations who persecute Christians are classified by OpenDoors as "Islamic oppression."
The second is that rather than acknowledging Islam's opposition to Christianity, he wishes to treat it as an equal partner with Christianity. Muslims are not individuals who need faith in Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Lord. Instead, they are partners in the rich diversity of life.
The Pope's words and actions demonstrate the actual content of Roman Catholic dogma since Vatican II. The Vatican II document Lumen Gentium (16) states that those who “have not yet received the Gospel are related in various ways to the people of God.” It begins by discussing the Jews as it says, “In the first place we must recall the people to whom the testament and the promises were given and from whom Christ was born according to the flesh. On account of their fathers this people remains most dear to God, for God does not repent of the gifts He makes nor of the calls He issues.”
Then it goes on to say, “But the plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator. In the first place amongst these there are the Muslims, who, professing to hold the faith of Abraham, along with us adore the one and merciful God, who on the last day will judge mankind.” This statement declares that Christians and Muslims worship the same God, as it ignores the fact that Islam denies the divinity of Jesus Christ and rejects the Holy Trinity.
As it moves on from Jews and Muslims, Lumen Gentium states:
Nor is God far distant from those who in shadows and images seek the unknown God, for it is He who gives to all men life and breath and all things, and as Saviour wills that all men be saved. Those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience. Nor does Divine Providence deny the helps necessary for salvation to those who, without blame on their part, have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and with His grace strive to live a good life.
This statement explains that salvation is possible for those who do not believe in Jesus Christ. When through no fault of their own they do not know the Gospel, they can be saved if they “sincerely seek God” and “strive by their deeds” to do God’s will as it is known to them “through the dictates of conscience.” Indeed, God provides “the helps necessary for salvation” to these individuals who by his grace “strive to live a good life.”
Because Islam is a path to salvation for those "who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church," in truth the worst thing that could happen to a person would be to have Christ and the Gospel to proclaimed to him. According to this teaching, if a person hears about Christ and rejects the folly of the cross (1 Corinthians 1:18-25), this path to salvation in the ignorance of Islam is no longer available.
The Pope's statement in Algeria is not surprising. It is true to Roman Catholic teaching. The question that Roman Catholics must confront is whether they can remain in a fellowship that denies Jesus Christ's words: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).
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