In paragraph 1036, the 1992 "Catechism of the Catholic Church" infallibly defines the doctrine that the eternally lost are many; and the eternally saved are few - even among Catholics. It does so by quoting Matthew 7:13-14. In Matthew 7:13-14 Christ is clearly saying that few Catholics are saved, since he is clearly speaking to those who hear and know him. The doctrine that few Catholics are saved, only involves those who have reached the age of reason, and can choose between good and evil. All who die as baptized infants are saved. A catechism is a summary of doctrine. The "Catechism of the Catholic Church" is a universal catechism, imposed on the Universal Church, by Pope John Paul 11. A Pope cannot impose errant doctrine on the Universal Church. Therefore, the doctrine that few Catholics are saved, is infallible. The Saints always taught that few Catholics are saved, therefore, people made greater efforts to save their souls. As a result, many souls were saved. The Saints always pointed out that Matthew 7:13-14 teaches that few Catholics are saved. I believe that it is time for us to follow the example of the Saints, and to defend the doctrine that the lost are many and the saved are few - even among Catholics.

I think your logic is a bit rusty.

1. The Pope is human, he is not God. Even Peter (the first Pope, whom Jesus chose to be a foundation upon which to build His Church) denied Christ - not exactly infallible, was he? To place unquestioning faith in the Pope is a mistake. One must place unwavering faith in the Pope's boss. The teaching of the Pope should be heard, but the believer must ensure that his teaching is consistent with God's Word. The Pope will not provide you salvation - CHRIST provides that salvation. You, and you alone, will be held accountable for your thoughts, words, and actions. Your relationship with Christ will determine how that judgement will come out.

2. The Bible states that the way to destruction is wide and many will be destroyed as a result of following it. It says that the path to God is narrow and difficult. One may infer that the quality of this path will repel many from trying, because they want a "convenient" faith - one that doesn't take too much effort. Those who choose the difficult path will learn much (about God, and about themselves). Each difficulty you experience is meant to teach patience and endurance - there are many things which God will do, which we will not know the complete reason (as we finite human beings cannot completely "know" God). If one becomes impatient, who's will is being called into question (and who's is being lifted to the priority spot)? I think impatience places one's own preferences over God's. Is that a sin? Yes. God is supreme.

3. The notion that ALL people will be saved, attending ANY denominational church (if they claim Christianity), is incorrect. Why? Because the people who attend a church are not all True Believers. There will be some judged unworthy - some attending fence-sitters incorrectly think that just being there will save them. And, some will think that because they're baptized that their problems a over - only to find that baptism only cancels inherited sin, from Adam. The rest of their lives are now as members of the Church - knowledge, of right and wrong, places more responsibility on the believer. What quality is married, inseperably with "responsibility"? Accountability. One must pay for mistakes incurred under responsibility.

It should not come as a surprise that this statement is made in the Bible (Canon).

Those who are True Believers, and are listening to God, will be saved - they will understand the relationship Chirst has to them (and their sin). And, EACH believer will be held accountable for thoughts, words, and actions (or failure to act).