On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics, a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this ministry.
What happens to my non-Catholic Christian family members, friends, neighbors, and coworkers when they die?
The Church acknowledges that blame lies on both sides for the schism between Catholics and non-Catholic Christians, and works toward reunion through efforts such as the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity.
As for those who were born into and accept Christ in other communities, the Catechism says: “All who have been justified by faith in Baptism are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as brothers in the Lord by the children of the Catholic Church.”
What happens to those souls when they die? We leave the judging to God’s tender mercies.
