In the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church,
paragraph 16, the Vatican II Council Fathers wrote: "But the plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first
place amongst whom are the Moslems...
"Nor is God remote from those who in shadows and images seek the unknown God, since
he gives to all men life and breath and all things... Nor shall divine providence deny the assistance necessary for salvation to those who,
without any fault of theirs, have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God, and
who, not without grace, strive to lead a good life."
So the Fathers of the Council do not exclude anyone acting in good faith from the possibility
of salvation. They do go on, however, to speak of the Church's mission from Christ to
bring the gospel to all people, for Christ is the source of salvation for the whole world.
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