Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus
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The Latin phrase Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus (EENS), literally meaning "outside the church there is no salvation," is a slogan that summarises the doctrine that one must be a member of the Roman Catholic church in order to be saved.
While this notion is inherently contraversial to those of other religions or of no religion, the term is at present usage most associated with an internal contraversy in the Catholic Church about the process by which one becomes a member of the Church. In particular a priest named Leonard Feeney in the mid 20th century was very vocal in rejecting the blood and desire forms of baptism, and insisting that water baptism alone is the baptism required to join the church so as not to be "extra ecclesiam" (he was allegedly excommunicated for saying this). This controversy is virtually unknown in the general population of the Roman Catholic Church, although is a big topic amongst Roman Catholic Traditionalists, because of the coincidence that those who followed Feeney also retained the Tridentine Mass after Vatican II and were therefore associated with other traditionalist groups very early on.
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Interpretations (in order of decreasing strictness)
- Only Roman Catholics who are baptized visibily with water in the sacrament of baptism are true members of the Roman Catholic Church, and as such only they may enter heaven;
- Only baptized members of the Roman Catholic Church can enter heaven, but they may be baptized in three ways, the baptism of water, the baptism of blood ( being killed for their belief in the Roman Catholic Church), and Baptism of Desire (those desiring to be baptized but who die before they can);
- The Roman Catholic Church has the power to save even those who don't belong to it, but if the Roman Catholic Church did not exist salvation wouldn't be possible. This interpretation translates the Latin phrase as "Without the church there is no salvation." Those who follow this interpretation have varying ideas about how many and who are saved by this power of the church (it should be noted that those with this view may not claim that this reasoning has always been used by the Roman Catholic Church, but would argue for it as part of their larger belief in the evolution of dogma over time).
Theologians
Most theologians have held the middle ground, that baptism is necessary for salvation but one might be baptized in three different ways, one visible and two invisible:
- Normal Baptism by water
- Baptism of blood
- Baptism of blood is a baptism of desire received through martyrdom. Like baptism with water, it leaves an indelible mark on the soul, hence the reference. This is considered by many theologians such as Thomas Aquinas to be the most superior form of baptism.
- Baptism of desire
- The exact definition of Baptism of desire is more debated among theologians, especially the modern ones. The most strict interpratation is that baptism of desire takes place when one fully intends to be baptized in the Roman Catholic Church but is for example killed before that is possible. On the other end of the range, some modern theologians believe anyone who desires good is baptized invisibly.
The debate
The more loose a requirement for being saved by the "baptism of desire" is, the more the belief would approach the idea of universal salvation, negating the EENS doctrine. For this reason Leonard Feeney and his followers (called Feenyites) rejected completely the idea of Baptism of Blood and Desire, arguing it was not taught by the Fathers of the Church, nor the Roman Catholic Church herself. Non-Feenyites believe that these three ways of being baptized were alluded to by the Fathers and taught officially by the Roman Catholic Church and theologians later on. The contraversy can be confusing to observe to an outsider, because there are three parties. Feenyites are primarily concerned with fighting those who, through various reasonings, do not believe in the concept that being in the Catholic Church is necessary for salvation. Non-Feenyite Catholics, while agreeing with the concept being in the Catholic Church is necessary for salvation, believe that the Feenyites overreacted (and were heretical) in completely rejecting the concept of baptism of blood and desire. The final group simply does not believe that being a member of the Roman Catholic church is necessary for salvation.
External links
- An Examination of the 3 De Fide Decrees on 'No Salvation Outside the Church' (http://www.freeyellow.com/members3/matt1618/eens.html)
- Can There Be Salvation For Non-Catholics? (http://matt1618.freeyellow.com/eens2.html)
- The Case Against Father Feeney and for Baptism of Blood and Desire (http://pw2.netcom.com/~matt1618/desire.htm)
- www.catholicism.org -- Site for supporters of Father Leonard Feeney
- "Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus: Father Feeney Makes A Comeback" (http://www.petersnet.net/browse/963.htm) -- Essay arguing for a less rigorous interpretation of the papal definitions
Bibliography
- Sesboüé', B. 2005. Hors de l'Eglise pas de salut. Paris. DDBnl:Extra ecclesiam nulla salus