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Hi, Natalie —
Thanks for the question.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church does say that God can save
those whom he chooses outside the
Church in ways known only to Himself.
So to some extent, your priest has
a point, however there is an incarnational
principle which says, all graces
come from Christ, the Head of the
Church. We the members, the Mystical
Body of Christ, share in the distribution
of grace, particularly through the
Eucharist, which is offered daily
on behalf of the whole world.
While
a pagan may receive a grace, it comes
as a result of the intercession of
the Church and Christ Himself. Also,
being the Head of the Church, Christ
is also a member of His own Church.
Therefore, there is no getting around
the fact that all graces flow from
the Church. All salvation comes from
Christ (regardless of how it is dispensed). You
can't separate the Head from the
Body (Christ and the Church are one
and the same on a mystical level);
therefore no matter how you slice
it, all graces ultimately flow through
the Church.
If you are looking for a specific
document, refer to and read Dominus Jesus, a Papal encyclical on
salvation, issued a year or so ago.
Hope this helps,
John DiMascio
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