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Are the Heretics and Schismatics Mentioned in the Council of Florence Only Those Who Left the Church?

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In the Council of Florence (1438-1445), the Church states the following: > It firmly believes, professes and preaches that all those who are outside the Catholic Church, not only pagans but also Jews or heretics and schismatics, cannot share in eternal life and will go into the everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels, unless they are joined to the Catholic Church before the end of their lives; that the unity of the ecclesiastical body is of such importance that only for those who abide in it do the Church's sacraments contribute to salvation and do fasts, almsgiving and other works of piety and practices of the Christian militia produce eternal rewards; and that nobody can be saved, no matter how much he has given away in alms and even if he has shed his blood in the name of Christ, unless he has persevered in the bosom and the unity of the Catholic Church. (*The Council of Florence*, Session 11) I may be missing context because I didn't read the council, but from this alone, it appears that schismatics (non-Catholic Orthodox Christians) and heretics (e.g. Protestants) have no possibility of salvation despite the Church today speaking of them as separated brethren who simply lack the fullness of truth, while still being a part of the body of Christ. So my question is: When the Council of Florence mentions heretics and schismatics, are they only referring to those who are members of the Catholic Church who leave/apostatize? Or are they also referring to heretics and schismatics who never join the Catholic Church (e.g. Protestants who were raised Protestant from birth and didn't know the Catholic Church was true and therefore didn't join)?
Asked by TheCupOfJoe (143 rep)
Mar 13, 2025, 10:53 PM
Last activity: Mar 17, 2025, 10:46 AM