Don’t be naïve about how some people view our Roman Catholic faith. There are men and women in the world who call themselves Christians who truly believe that Roman Catholics are condemned to hell.

This past Christmas holiday season one of my twin daughters stumbled on a short, interestingly titled pamphlet: “Are Some Roman Catholics Saved?” She had gone to the bank to retrieve her birth certificate from our safe deposit box. While she was waiting for someone to help her, she glanced at the pamphlet & brochure rack. A small, 6.5 inch by 6.5 inch, two sided, gray colored pamphlet, partially hidden behind other material, caught her attention. She picked it up, looked at it, and brought it home.

Our four children know a lot about their Catholic faith. As a family we have always openly talked about being Catholic and following the teaching of Jesus and His Church. When she got home, she showed me the pamphlet and declared, “This makes me mad!” Neither one of my two daughters is afraid to speak their mind and to debate their beliefs.

I grinned and asked her if I could read it. Still fuming, she handed it to me. I read the title and the first ten paragraphs in an effort to grasp the author’s main point: If you believe that there are some Roman Catholics that are saved, you are mistaken; for one cannot be a faithful Roman Catholic and be saved. My daughter had not encountered anti-Catholic material or individuals before; so she was offended that someone would attack her Catholic faith. Just like my daughter, most Catholics have not encountered anti-Catholic material or individuals.

It’s important for Catholics everywhere to realize that many so-called “Bible-believing Christians” do not believe that Catholics are Christians. These same “Bible-believing Christians” also believe that if one dies a Roman Catholic he or she is condemned to hell. This is a harsh wake-up call for naïve Catholics. My daughter knows enough about her faith not to take the bait espoused in anti-Catholic literature. Do you? Does your family? Do your friends?

This pamphlet is distributed by “The Conversion Center, Inc.”, P.O. Box 31688, Raleigh, NC, 27622-1688. H. Gregory Adams, who claims to have been a monk and a priest, wrote the literature contained in the pamphlet. In the last ten years I’ve read a lot of anti-Catholic rhetoric, but I had not read any of Mr. Adams’ writing. Before we address his inaccurate claims and misleading information, let me make this statement: if you want to make a name for yourself, if you want to win converts, and if you want to grow your organization, then attack your largest, most well known competitor. History is loaded with example of this reality.

IBM is one of the largest, if not the largest computer manufacturer in the world. It is frequently under attack from its competitors. To stay in business upstart computer manufacturers must continue to grow their customer base. If you are the owner of an upstart computer manufacturing company and you are determined to stay in business, from which computer company are you going to seek more customers? IBM.

The United States of America is the largest democracy in the world. It promotes personal freedom around the world. Yet, it is constantly under attack from those inside America and those around the globe who do not want to see the spread of democracy and personal freedom. If you are a dictator, a communist, or a country without free elections, which country do you most fear? The United States of America.

The Roman Catholic Church---the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church founded by Jesus Christ---has been under attack for nearly 2000 years. There are people inside the Church and those outside the Church who reject the infallible teaching of Sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture, and the Magisterium of the Church. Remaining faithful to all the Church teaches is not easy; it’s a daily challenge. Today, there are tens of thousands of Christian denominations. All were started by men and women who rejected one or more of the “faith and moral” teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Today, there are more than 1 billion Catholics. The Catholic faith is the world’s largest religion. If you’ve rejected one or more of the Church’s teachings, and are determine to grow your Christian denomination, who are you going to attack? The Roman Catholic Church.

The Conversion Center, Inc., through the words of Mr. Adams, is attempting to grow its membership by frightening Roman Catholics. Mr. Adams quotes the Bible (Jn 3:3), “Except a man be born again, he CANNOT see the kingdom of God.” Then he asks, “Are Roman Catholics born again by the Spirit of the living God? Have they had a personal experience with Christ and have Him alone as Savior, Lord and Master?” He wants naïve Catholics to answer “NO.”

Don’t take his bait.

Please read chapter 3 of Saint John’s gospel; then attempt to understand how Mr. Adams is misinterpreting Jn 3:3.

In my next two columns, I will address the many incorrect statements made in this pamphlet: “Are Some Roman Catholics Saved?” Until then, accept this reality: the surest path to eternal salvation flows through the Catholic Church.

For more insight read CCC paragraphs 897-913. Also, pull out your “Catholic” Bible and reference Mt 24:11-13; Lk 9:23-24; Jn 3:1-6; 6:63-64, 66-69; 10:14-16; 17:20-21; Rom 16:17-18.