Is Feeneyism Catholic? - Society of St. Pius X

12 IS F EENEYISM C ATHOLIC?
ONE DIRECT CONSEQUENCE OF WHAT HAS BEEN SAID SO
FAR IS THAT THESE SOULS BELONG TO THE MYSTICAL BODY
OF CHRIST, WHICH IS THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
St. Thomas, in his only question in the whole Summa dealing
with the Church (ST, III, Q.8), teaches that union “in actu–in
act” with Christ is essentially by sanctifying grace with faith, hope
and charity (Art. 3). Those who do not have the faith are only
united with Him “in potentia,” i.e., they can become united with
Him, but are not yet united with Him. Now baptism of desire is
precisely the direct gift of this sanctifying grace, with faith, hope
and charity to the soul. Hence these souls are united in actu–in
deed with Christ and His Church, though their bond is not complete.
Thus this Catholic doctrine on baptism of desire is far from
opposed to the dogma “Outside of the Catholic Church there is
no salvation!” The exterior union with the Church by profession
of the Catholic Faith, communion in the same sacraments, and
submission to the authorities of the Church, is just the direct consequence
of interior faith, hope and charity. Hence charity cannot
be possessed without having the votum–desire, i.e., the firm will
and resolution of completing the union with the Church by receiving
baptism and being fully subject to Church authority. This
is manifest especially in the case of the fervent catechumens, who
are earnestly preparing their baptism and already follow the directives
of the Church.
The doctrine of baptism of desire is useful to manifest the
primacy of the interior union with Christ, by the true faith, “living
faith” (see Jas. 2:26), “Faith working through charity” (Gal.
6:5). The exterior union with the Church, having baptism of water
but without this living faith, is not sufficient for salvation!
HOW DOES ONE RECEIVE THIS SANCTIFYING GRACE?
It may be at the time one is taking instructions to become
Catholic, e.g., as a catechumen. Thus in the mission countries,
where the missionary was passing every six months, a catechumen
who already believed and practiced the Catholic Faith, though he
was not yet baptized, if he died in such a state, could go to heaven.
This may be the most common case. This first example is the one
given in the Catechism of the Council of Trent.