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Questions / Salvation, heaven and hell

Can non-Christians be saved?

Church teaching

Answered on video by Bishop Robert Barron

Video: Bishop Barron on Who Can Be Saved?, Bishop Robert Barron, published May 10, 2018. Checked 10 October 2026. Loads from YouTube (privacy-enhanced mode) only when you press play. Watch on YouTube

In short: Yes, they can. People who, through no fault of their own, don’t know the Gospel but sincerely seek God and try to do His will may be saved. CCC 847

The answer, in writing

Church teaching

Those who, through no fault of their own, don’t know the Gospel or the Church, but seek God sincerely and, moved by grace, try to do His will as they know it, may be saved. CCC 847

Our words

This isn’t a reason to stop sharing Jesus. It’s a reason to trust that God’s mercy is bigger than our maps.

Next step: Start the Other faiths journey

Honestly? The best answers come from people, not websites. Take the next step: find a parish near you

Related questions

Do Catholics believe we are saved by grace? Catholic Answers · 2 minAren’t we saved by faith alone? Bishop Robert Barron · 14 minIs there salvation outside the Church? Fr. Mike Schmitz · 8 minHow are we saved? Ascension Presents · 12 min

Sources on this page

How we know · 1 Catechism paragraph
  1. Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 847 (official text on vatican.va).

Stone & Incense restates Church teaching in plain words and cites every teaching claim. Our own wording is not an official Church text. Found a mistake? Report an errorCorrections.