First
we should note that the Church was never blessed with a Supreme
Pontiff who proclaimed and defended the defined dogma, Extra
Ecclesiam Nulla Salus, more
often or more vigorously than Pius IX. We also remind our readers
that he was a very brave and holy pope; he has been declared
"Venerable", and his cause for beatification is being
promoted at this very time.
Pius
IX reigned as Holy Roman Pontiff for thirty-two years (1846 to 1878),
longer than any other Vicar of Christ except Saint Peter. In certain
statements he made in official — though not infallible —
pronouncements during his Pontificate, he seemed, to some liberals,
to excuse the invincibly ignorant from the necessity of membership in
the Catholic Church for salvation. His three most quoted statements
follow:
